Brands
Crunchyroll teams up with Comic Con India to launch power pass
INDIA: Crunchyroll has partnered with Comic Con India to roll out the Crunchyroll Power Pass, an exclusive bundled offer combining event access with a discounted annual streaming subscription. The campaign kicks off at Chennai Comic Con and will extend across major cities through the season.
Priced at Rs 1,274, the Power Pass includes a single-day Comic Con ticket along with Crunchyroll’s Annual Mega Fan Subscription at a reduced rate of Rs 375, down from its usual Rs 475. The offer is open to both new and existing subscribers.
Fans attending upcoming Comic Cons in Chennai, Kochi, Gurugram, Pune, Kolkata and Mumbai can purchase the bundle via Comic Con India’s ticketing partner, District.
The launch coincides with a packed winter anime slate on Crunchyroll, featuring upcoming titles such as Jujutsu Kaisen season three, Frieren season two, My Hero Academia: Vigilantes season two and Trigun Stargaze.
Ahead of the Chennai edition, Crunchyroll recently wrapped up activations at Jaipur Comic Con, drawing large crowds to immersive fan experiences at its on-ground booth.
Brands
Nykaa eyes majority stake in Deepika Padukone’s 82°E brand
Deal could help scale premium label as Nykaa sharpens its beauty play
MUMBAI: Nykaa is in advanced discussions to acquire a majority stake in 82°E, the premium skincare label founded by Deepika Padukone, according to media reports.
The proposed deal signals Nykaa’s intent to deepen its House of Nykaa portfolio while giving 82°E the scale it has struggled to achieve independently. Padukone is expected to retain a minority stake if the transaction goes through.
For Nykaa, the play is both strategic and timely. With a customer base of over 42 million, the company is betting on its strong distribution, logistics, and repeat purchase ecosystem to revive the brand’s momentum. The two sides already share a working relationship, with Padukone serving as Nykaa’s global brand ambassador since September 2025.
Launched in late 2022, 82°E entered the market with a premium positioning but has faced headwinds. The brand reported revenue of Rs 14.7 crore in FY25, down 30 per cent year on year, alongside losses of Rs 12.26 crore. Industry observers have pointed to steep pricing, a somewhat diffused brand identity, and intense competition from digital-first labels as key challenges.
The potential acquisition also reflects a broader shift in India’s beauty and lifestyle space, where celebrity-led brands are increasingly partnering with larger corporates to unlock scale. Alia Bhatt’s Ed-a-Mamma, for instance, sold a majority stake to Reliance Retail, while Katrina Kaif’s Kay Beauty has emerged as a standout success within Nykaa’s portfolio, clocking Rs 132.4 crore in FY25 revenue.
Nykaa itself has been on a strong growth trajectory. Its parent, FSN E-Commerce Ventures, reported a 156 per cent jump in net profit to Rs 68 crore in the December 2025 quarter, with revenue reaching Rs 2,873 crore.
Nykaa has been steadily building its portfolio through acquisitions such as Dot & Key, Earth Rhythm and Nudge Wellness, signalling a clear push to own and scale homegrown brands.
If the 82°E deal materialises, it could mark a fresh chapter for the label, blending celebrity appeal with corporate muscle. For Nykaa, it is another calculated step in staying ahead in an increasingly crowded beauty aisle.
