Brands
Glow and Behold as Colors Queen Rules the Raabta Runway
MUMBAI: When beauty met bling, sparks quite literally flew. As the Diwali lights shimmered across the grand Raabta by Rahul showcase, all eyes were on the runway and on Colors Queen Cosmetics, the official beauty and makeup partner that turned the ramp into a riot of radiance. The luxury jewellery brand’s much-awaited festive gala known for its grandeur and glitterati found a perfect match in Colors Queen’s artistry. With each model’s look curated from the brand’s own product line, the beauty label didn’t just style faces; it sculpted the very mood of the night.
The event’s theme, saltanat evoking imperial opulence came alive in a parade of luminous skin, jewel-toned eyes, and statement lips. The in-house creative team at Colors Queen went beyond standard runway glam, designing every look as a story of texture, tone, and technique. The result? A seamless dialogue between couture and cosmetics where shimmer met substance.
And then came the showstopper moment: Kangana Ranaut swept down the ramp, radiating a mix of regal poise and modern fire. The actress’s striking presence, paired with Colors Queen’s bold yet refined palette, drew collective gasps from the audience. For a night built on sparkle, she was the incandescent finale.
For Colors Queen Cosmetics co-founder Nitin Panjwani, this collaboration was more than a commercial tie-up, it was a celebration of vision and artistry. “Our collaboration with Raabta by Rahul was not merely a partnership; it was a celebration of eternal beauty and modern expression,” Panjwani said. “At Colors Queen, our mission has always been to offer high-performance, luxurious yet accessible beauty. Being part of an event of such magnitude reiterates our role in empowering beauty professionals and celebrating confidence with color and creativity.”
From backstage brushes to bold beauty statements, the brand’s team ensured every element aligned with Raabta’s luxury ethos. The models’ looks mirrored the jewellery intricate, confident, and unmistakably Indian.
Colors Queen extended its touch beyond the ramp, curating an entire pre-event experience that felt as indulgent as the runway itself. Each celebrity guest and influencer received an exclusive invite paired with a specially designed beauty hamper featuring the brand’s newest product launches.
This strategic move proved a masterstroke: the campaign clocked a combined online reach of over 1.1 billion views across social media platforms, amplifying the brand’s voice well beyond the Diwali dazzle.
Among the star-studded attendees were Meenakshi Dutt, Sara Khan, Guneet Virdi, Kriti DS, and Harpreet Suri, who shared their behind-the-scenes glimpses and red-carpet moments, flooding timelines with a generous dose of glitz and gloss.
The event underlined Colors Queen’s growing stature in India’s booming beauty market. Positioned at the intersection of fashion, celebrity culture, and accessible luxury, the brand is steadily redefining what Indian beauty looks like confident, creative, and unapologetically bold.
With this partnership, Colors Queen isn’t just selling makeup; it’s scripting cultural moments, the kind that blur the lines between fashion week spectacle and festive tradition. The brand’s DNA is unmistakably Indian but its aesthetic is global, a blend of precision, pigment, and panache that resonates across runways and reels alike.
If Raabta by Rahul was about timeless jewellery, Colors Queen added the modern shimmer. The collaboration stands as a reminder that in the world of fashion, beauty isn’t the finishing touch, it’s part of the narrative.
As Kangana Ranaut glided off the ramp and flashbulbs popped, the message was clear: beauty doesn’t just complement luxury, it completes it. And with each brushstroke, Colors Queen is painting its own legacy bold, brilliant, and beautifully Indian.
After all, when you’re born to rule the runway, the crown isn’t gold, it’s glitter.
Brands
India’s food culture takes a bold turn in 2025
From fusion desserts to experiential dining, four trends reshape how the nation eats.
MUMBAI: India’s plates just got a serious upgrade in 2025 because when tradition meets TikTok and fusion meets fitness, even the humble samosa starts feeling trendy. The Godrej Food Trends Report 2025 predicted several shifts in Indian eating habits, and the past year proved the forecasters right. From reimagined desserts to immersive dining experiences, Indian consumers showed they want authenticity, convenience, global flavours and health in equal measure.
Here are four trends that truly came alive in 2025 and are now shaping how India eats and dines:
1. Indian Desserts Get a Modern Makeover Traditional mithai found fresh life through fusion experiments. Cheesecakes, truffles and plated desserts inspired by classics like gulab jamun and rasgulla gained popularity, while chocolate-forward, fruit-led and lower-sugar options appealed to younger diners. According to the How India Eats 2025 report, desserts and ice-cream parlours were among the fastest-growing segments in organised food services. Examples: The Bombay Canteen’s Coffee Rasgulla Sundae and Le Chocolate Cakes and More’s Gulab Jamun Cake. Chef Aarohi Sanghavi of Maki Patisserie noted the shift toward seasonality and fresh Indian produce, while Chef Heena Punwani of Maska Bakery highlighted the appeal of flexible, weekend-special menus.
2. Social Media Becomes the New Menu Food discovery went fully digital. Instagram Reels, YouTube reviews and creator-led content heavily influenced dining choices, with food remaining one of the most consumed categories on social media. Restaurants began designing visually striking dishes specifically for shareability, while many diners found new spots through viral videos rather than traditional advertising. The How India Eats 2025 report revealed that over 75% of marketing spends by leading QSR chains now go toward digital channels. Cafes like Mokai and Candies became creator favourites, and brands such as Bastian Hospitality curated highly shareable pop-ups and events. Kavita Rajwade of IVM Podcasts emphasised how long-form storytelling helps decode food’s cultural and economic layers, while Pranav Joshi of Floydian Cookery admitted his page grew far beyond expectations.
3. Snacking Culture Goes Mainstream India’s love for snacks evolved into a full grazing lifestyle, with many opting for multiple small bites throughout the day instead of three structured meals. This shift spurred innovation in formats—from gourmet chips and fusion street food to protein-packed options. Restaurants responded with small-plate menus designed for sharing. The How India Eats 2025 report noted that late-night orders grew nearly 3x faster than dinner. Brands like The Whole Truth Foods and Green Snack Co. popularised clean-label snacks such as protein bars and roasted nuts. Madhushree Basu Roy of Pikturenama Studios predicted a mix of convenience, health consciousness and global influences, while freelance food writer Sharmila Vaidyanathan observed that consumers want the best of both worlds healthy options for routine snacking and traditional treats for special occasions.
4. Dining Becomes an Experience, Not Just a Meal The most noticeable shift was the rise of experiential dining. Consumers increasingly sought restaurants that offered more than good food, they wanted immersion, storytelling and chef-driven concepts. Venues like Papa’s in Mumbai (intimate tasting menus), Bombay Daak (theatrical regional flavours) and Masala Library (modernist presentations) turned meals into memorable events. Tasting menus, themed pop-ups and chef collaborations became more common, transforming dining out into entertainment. The How India Eats 2025 report highlighted how experience-led formats and storytelling are key to attracting younger diners. Chef Karan Upmanyu of ParTTwo in Bengaluru observed that new outlets are breaking away from rigid formats, focusing instead on creating relaxed spaces where people simply enjoy spending time.
As 2026 unfolds, these trends suggest India’s food culture is no longer just about what’s on the plate, it’s about how the plate makes us feel, connect and remember. From a quick Reel-inspired snack to a full theatrical dining experience, Indian diners are voting with their forks for food that is both rooted in tradition and unafraid to experiment. The table, it seems, has never been more exciting.
