MAM
Bikaji introduces Amitabh Bachchan as brand ambassador
MUMBAI: Bikaji Foods International Ltd has signed megastar Amitabh Bachchan as its brand ambassador. The brand-new campaign, ‘Amitji Loves Bikaji’, focuses on making the brand the preferred snacking choice for today’s generation. Mr. Bachchan will feature as the face of the brand in a multimedia campaign which will go live from the first week of October 2019.
While conceptualising the campaign the key task was to direct youth into re-subscribing to ethnic snacking and in the process make Bikaji the cool ethnic snack brand. The aim is to widen Bikaji’s appeal among millennials and customers who prefer modern snacks over ethnic ones. Bikaji wants millennials to rediscover and celebrate their culture through everyday snacking. Growing rapidly in India and globally under the leadership of CEO and Director Deepak Agarwal, Bikaji Foods International Ltd is also looking to expand into ready-to-eat and frozen foods.
Agarwal said: “We are delighted to welcome the entertainment industry’s most revered personality, Amitabh Bachchan aka Amitji as we fondly call him. He has a massive fan following across geographies and has an identity beyond the films, ads that he does. His mass appeal and larger-than-life image will help expand Bikaji’s boundaries. Bikaji is a favourite among Indian snack lovers and we hope to enhance the brand appeal to young people across geographies and boost distributors’ confidence.”
Sagar Parikh, Managing Partner, 3 Brothers & Fils, communication partners, which executed the campaign and has been associated with the brand for more than three decades, said: ‘‘The campaign encourages the youth to enjoy ethnic snacking. Amitji is loved by the masses and the classes, so he’s the best choice to deliver the message in a fun and entertaining way.”
The TVC shows Amitabh Bachchan enjoying Bikaji’s ethnic Indian snacks wherever he goes. His love for Indian snacks is underscored not just while travelling but also how he commits to sharing his Bikaji snack while, relishing every bit of it alone. He enjoys cricket or tea only with Bikaji and ends up being like a teenager when it comes to excuses to not share his Bikaji. The ‘Amitji Loves Bikaji’ campaign will help the brand expand its distribution network and encourage new channel partners to come on board and connect with the brand.
Brands
Kwality Wall’s reports standalone losses following strategic HUL demerger
Ice cream major faces Rs 64 crore Ebitda loss amid commodity inflation and muted Q3 sales
MUMBAI: Kwality Wall’s (India) Limited (KWIL) has released its first set of financial results as a standalone entity, revealing a challenging start to its independent journey. Following its successful demerger from Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) on 1st December 2025 and its subsequent listing on 16th February 2026, the company is navigating a transition period marked by structural changes and high input costs.
For the quarter ended 31st December 2025, the company reported revenue of Rs 222 crores. Despite the revenue base, the bottom line was impacted by several factors, resulting in an Ebitda loss of Rs 64.2 crores. When calculated on a Pre-IND AS 116 basis, the Ebitda loss stood at Rs 83.8 crores.
Organic Sales Growth (OSG) declined by 6.5 per cent year-on-year during the quarter. Volume growth, however, saw a marginal increase of 1.2 per cent. The company reported a gross margin of 41.5 per cent. Additionally, exceptional expenses amounting to Rs 94 crores were recorded, primarily linked to non-recurring costs during the transition phase.
Performance across portfolios and channels was mixed. Within the impulse portfolio, brands such as Magnum and Cornetto recorded mid-single digit volume growth, indicating steady demand in on-the-go consumption. However, the in-home portfolio, which includes take-home packs, experienced muted consumption. The company is planning a relaunch of this category with improved offerings ahead of the 2026 season.
Quick commerce (Q-Com) continued to emerge as a strong growth driver, delivering robust double-digit growth during the quarter. Meanwhile, the company also expanded its physical distribution network by increasing the number of company-owned cabinets across markets.
Margin pressure during the quarter was driven by a combination of one-off factors and broader cost inflation. Gross margins were impacted by around 600 basis points due to trade investments made for stock liquidation. Additionally, cocoa price inflation contributed to another 400 basis points of pressure on margins.
Deputy managing director Chitrank Goel attributed the muted performance partly to prolonged monsoons and transitional challenges linked to the GST framework. Operating expenses also increased as the company invested in establishing its standalone supply chain, operational systems and corporate infrastructure following the demerger.
Looking ahead, the management remains focused on a volume-driven growth strategy. To restore profitability, the company has initiated a cost productivity programme aimed at reducing non-consumer-facing costs. It is also working on building regional manufacturing networks to optimise logistics expenses and improve operational efficiency.
The commodity outlook for the near term remains mixed. Dairy prices are expected to remain firm due to tight supply conditions and rising fodder costs. Sugar prices may also move higher following increases in the Minimum Selling Price (MSP). While cocoa prices have moderated recently, currency depreciation has offset some of the potential cost relief for the company.
