MAM
CEAT Specialty collabs with Kalki 2898 AD to launch tyres for AI vehicle
Mumbai: CEAT Specialty has announced an exciting partnership with the much-anticipated film Kalki 2898 AD, starring Prabhas, to develop and launch state-of-the-art tyres for Bujji, the robotic vehicle featured in the movie. This collaboration highlights CEAT’s cutting-edge technology and reinforces its commitment to driving the future of mobility.
Kalki 2898 AD, directed by Nag Ashwin, is set in a futuristic world where advanced technology and artificial intelligence shape daily life. The film features an impressive cast, including Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, Amitabh Bachchan, and Kamal Haasan. Bujji, the AI-driven car in the film, represents the pinnacle of futuristic design and innovation, requiring tyres as advanced and visionary as the vehicle itself.
Designed by Hollywood’s Haisu Wang, who also designed vehicles for Black Panther, Bujji represents a leap into the future of automotive design and technology. The filmmakers wanted a moving car that brought Wang’s design to life, and CEAT Specialty rose to the challenge, creating state-of-the-art tyres that complement this groundbreaking vehicle.
CEAT Specialty’s chief executive Amit Tolani shared his thoughts on this transformative project: “Collaborating on Bujji for Kalki 2898 AD was an incredible opportunity for us. It allowed us to push our boundaries and explore new technologies and materials. Dyutiman Chatterjee and his R&D team brought this vision to life, showcasing their creativity and engineering prowess. This project has set the stage for our future in tyre innovation. Our team and our tyres are truly Crafted for the Curious, driving us to explore uncharted territories and envision the future.”
CEAT Specialty head of R&D Dyutiman Chatterjee added, “Creating tyres for Bujji was an inspiring and demanding task. It provided us with a unique platform to test new technologies and materials, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in tyre design. CEAT Specialty is already renowned for its engineering prowess in developing best-in-class OTR tyres, and this project challenged us to elevate our standards even further. It has not only pushed us to be better but also given us a valuable perspective on the future of tyre technology.”
The development of Bujji’s tyres was a fascinating behind-the-scenes journey that involved intense creativity and meticulous engineering. The process kicked off with dynamic brainstorming sessions, during which designers, engineers, and material scientists collaborated to conceptualize potential designs. Inspired by Bujji’s futuristic look and capabilities, the team delved into extensive discussions about materials, technologies, and aesthetics. These sessions gave birth to visionary sketches, digital models, and pattern prototypes, vividly bringing their ideas to life.
One of the standout features of the tyres is their unique block design. Drawing inspiration from AI algorithms and futuristic patterns, the design incorporates intricate grooves and channels that enhance performance and visual appeal. The circular support base of the block design is specifically crafted for superior traction and stability, ensuring the tyres complement Bujji’s advanced capabilities and striking sporty looks.
Engineering excellence was at the core of this project. The tyres boast a higher breadth and a unique aspect ratio of 30, which ensures outstanding performance and torque. Additionally, the tyres have an impressive load-bearing capacity of up to 4 tonnes, making them highly durable and capable of supporting the robust structure of Bujji. The wider design, coupled with larger rims, not only enhances Bujji’s appearance but also minimizes side sway, providing a smoother and more stable ride. Rigorous simulations and real-world testing validated the design, optimizing the tyres for superior cornering, steering, and braking performance—essential characteristics for a high-performance vehicle like Bujji.
CEAT’s collaboration with Kalki 2898 AD has set a new benchmark in tyre technology, demonstrating the company’s commitment to innovation and excellence. Known for its meritorious off-the-road tyres, CEAT Specialty was the first choice for providing these futuristic tyres due to its industry expertise and proven track record.
As CEAT Specialty moves forward, the lessons learned and the technologies developed during the Bujji project will be crucial in shaping the company’s future products. The vision is clear: to create tyres that are not only functional and reliable but also smart, sustainable, and ready for the future of mobility.
With a legacy of innovation and a forward-thinking approach, CEAT is poised to lead the charge in the next era of automotive excellence. The journey with Bujji and Kalki 2898 AD has illuminated the path, and the future looks promising for CEAT and its vision for futuristic tyres.
Brands
YES Bank hands the keys to SBI veteran Vinay Tonse as it bets on a new era
Former SBI managing director appointed as YES Bank’s new MD and CEO
MUMBAI: YES Bank is done rebuilding. Now it wants to grow. The private sector lender has appointed Vinay Muralidhar Tonse as managing director and chief executive officer-designate, with RBI approval secured and a start date of April 6, 2026 confirmed. The three-year term signals the bank’s intent to shift gears from crisis recovery to full-throttle expansion.
Tonse, 60, is no stranger to scale. Most recently managing director at State Bank of India, he oversaw a retail book of roughly $800bn in deposits and advances, one of the largest in the country. Before that, he ran SBI Mutual Fund from August 2020 to December 2022, a stint that saw assets under management surge from Rs 4.32 lakh crore to Rs 7.32 lakh crore across market cycles. Add stints in Singapore and four years leading SBI’s overseas operations in Osaka, and the incoming chief arrives with a genuinely global CV.
His academic grounding is equally solid: a commerce degree from St Joseph’s College of Commerce, Bengaluru, and a master’s in commerce from Bangalore University.
The appointment follows an extensive search and evaluation process by the bank’s Nomination and Remuneration Committee. NRC chairperson Nandita Gurjar said the committee unanimously backed Tonse, citing his leadership track record, governance credentials and ability to drive the bank’s next phase of transformation.
Non-executive chairman Rama Subramaniam Gandhi was unequivocal. “I am certain that Vinay Tonse, with his vast experience as a senior banker, will propel YES Bank to its next phase of growth,” Gandhi said, adding that the bank remains focused on strengthening its retail and corporate banking franchises and expanding its branch network.
Rajeev Kannan, non-executive director and senior executive at Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, the bank’s largest shareholder, said Tonse’s experience across retail, corporate banking, global markets and asset management positioned him well to lead the lender. SMBC said it looks forward to working with Tonse and the board as YES Bank pursues its ambition of becoming a top-tier private sector lender anchored in strong governance and sustainable growth.
Tonse succeeds Prashant Kumar, who took the helm in March 2020 when YES Bank was in freefall following a severe financial crisis, and spent six years painstakingly stabilising the institution, rebuilding governance and restoring operational scale. Gandhi was generous: “The bank remains indebted to Prashant Kumar, who is responsible for much of what a strong financial powerhouse YES Bank is today.”
Tonse, for his part, struck a purposeful note. “Together with the board and my colleagues, I remain deeply committed to creating long-term value for all our stakeholders,” he said, pledging to build on Kumar’s foundation guided by his personal motto: Make A Difference.
Beyond the balance sheet, Tonse played cricket at college and club level and represented Karnataka in archery at the national championships — sports he credits with teaching him teamwork, situational leadership, discipline and focus. In quieter moments, he reaches for retro Kannada music, classic Hindi songs, and the crooning of Engelbert Humperdinck, Mukesh and Kishore Kumar.
YES Bank has its steady-handed rebuilder in Kumar to thank for survival. Now it has a scale-obsessed growth banker at the wheel. The next chapter starts April 6.
