Brands
Fix it like Pushpa as Dr. Fixit breaks through with a screen seepage stunt
MUMBAI: Just when you thought the drama in Pushpa 2 couldn’t get any more intense, a mysterious damp patch crept across the screen and no, it wasn’t part of the plot. It was Dr. Fixit, Pidilite’s waterproofing ace, gatecrashing the action with a bold ‘Pause & Play’ move that had viewers doing a double take.
During the World TV Premiere of Pushpa 2 on JioStar’s South network channels including Star Maa, Star Vijay, Colors Kannada and Asianet audiences were momentarily “interrupted” by an on-screen seepage effect. Right as viewers braced for a twist in the film, the screen bled dampness… only to seamlessly transition into a Dr. Fixit ad reminding us all that when seepage strikes, only one fixer gets the job done.
The creative disruption wasn’t just a gimmick, it was a scene-stealing stunt timed to perfection. The idea: hijack the height of audience attention and turn a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment into a brand memory that sticks. And let’s be honest nothing says “waterproofing” like messing with your beloved Pushpa mid-punch.
Speaking about the campaign, Pidilite Industries chief marketing officer Sandeep Tanwani said, “The Pause & Play integration during the World TV Premiere of Pushpa 2 on JioStarnetwork is a bold step in contextual storytelling. By simulating seepage on screen before transitioning to our Dr. Fixit advertisement, we delivered our brand messaging with high impact, at a time when viewer engagement was at its peak.”
JioStar head of revenue for entertainment & international Ajit Varghese said, “Pushpa 2’s premiere presented a unique cultural flashpoint—and with it, a chance to reframe the rules of brand storytelling on linear TV. The ‘Pause & Play’ innovation wasn’t just a creative breakthrough; it was a strategic intervention designed to convert passive viewership into active brand engagement. At JioStar, our focus is on building media moments that deliver outsized impact for brands by integrating them meaningfully into high-attention cultural events. This campaign with Dr. Fixit is a blueprint for how entertainment and advertising can converge to drive recall, relevance, and results at scale.”
In a world where linear TV is often dismissed as static, this activation proved otherwise. It reimagined the medium as a reactive, real-time storytelling canvas and proved that even an old-school screen can deliver next-gen engagement.
With Pushpa already being a cultural juggernaut, Dr. Fixit cleverly hitched a ride and made its mark without needing to shout. Who knew waterproofing could steal the spotlight during one of India’s most anticipated premieres?
Brands
Muthoot FinCorp names Arun Kumar COO & Harjit Singh Takkar chief distribution officer
Leadership hires to boost operations and widen pan-India reach
THIRUVANANTHPURAM: Muthoot FinCorp has strengthened its top deck with the appointment of Arun Kumar B as chief operating officer and Harjit Singh Takkar as chief distribution officer, sharpening its focus on scale, speed and service as it pushes into its next phase of growth.
The flagship financial services arm of the 138-year-old Muthoot Pappachan Group, popularly known as Muthoot Blue, is expanding both muscle and mindset. With more than 3,750 branches nationwide and its digital platform, the Muthoot FinCorp ONE app, the company is betting on tighter execution and wider reach to stay ahead in an increasingly competitive lending market.
Arun Kumar B steps in with nearly two decades of experience cutting across financial services, technology transformation and customer analytics. He previously worked with CreditAccess Grameen, where he led enterprise-wide technology and data strategy initiatives and played a pivotal role during a major merger in the microfinance space. His work spanned integrating operations and products while scaling lending and non-credit offerings such as insurance and pensions.
At Muthoot FinCorp, Arun will steer operational excellence and strategic growth initiatives, aligning teams and processes to deliver sharper efficiency across the business. A gold medallist from Anna University and a postgraduate from IIM Indore, he also holds certifications in design thinking, Blue Ocean Strategy and business analytics.
Harjit Singh Takkar takes on the newly created role of chief distribution officer, reporting directly to the chief executive officer. The position is designed to energise the company’s distribution engine and bring greater governance and agility across its branch network.
Takkar brings over 28 years of retail banking experience, having held senior leadership roles at IndusInd Bank, Bandhan Bank, Yes Bank and ICICI Bank. Known for scaling branch networks and building high-performing teams, he combines distribution expertise with governance depth as a qualified company secretary with a master’s degree in finance and control.
In his new role, Takkar will oversee branch business and distribution channels, with a clear brief to expand reach, lift productivity and reinforce the company’s pan-India presence.
Commenting on the appointments, Muthoot FinCorp Ltd. chief executive officer Shaji Varghese, said the company continues to invest in leadership as it scales. “Our purpose is to improve the financial well-being of the common man. As we grow, strengthening leadership across key functions is important to ensure consistency in execution and customer experience,” he said.
With complementary strengths in operations and distribution now in place, Muthoot FinCorp appears set to move from steady expansion to sharper acceleration, backed by people, process and technology working in concert.
