Brands
Haier turns star partner for Telugu blockbuster Mana Shankara
MUMBAI: Haier Appliances India is turning up the spotlight, this time not in a showroom but on the silver screen. The global major appliances leader has signed on as the official appliance partner of the much awaited Telugu film Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu, set for a grand theatrical release today.
For Haier, this is not just a cameo appearance. It is a confident stride into popular culture, where cinema meets everyday living. The film brings together a powerhouse cast including megastar Chiranjeevi, Nayanthara and Venkatesh Daggubati, making it one of the most talked about releases of the season.
The brand’s presence begins early, with clear visibility in the trailer unveiled on 4 January. From there, Haier slips naturally into the story. Its Lumiere refrigerator and Mini LED television appear as part of the film’s home settings, blending into scenes that feel familiar, lived in and distinctly modern.
Rather than shouting for attention, the products quietly mirror contemporary Indian homes, where style, comfort and smart innovation share the same space. It is product placement with a pulse, designed to feel organic rather than ornamental.
This partnership also signals Haier India’s growing focus on regional cinema with national reach. Telugu films, known for their loyal fan base and cross generational appeal, offer a cultural canvas that stretches far beyond state borders.
By stepping into a blockbuster narrative, Haier is doing more than promoting appliances. It is placing itself inside moments people remember, scenes they discuss and stories they take home after the lights come up. In the process, the brand continues to shift from being a functional choice to a familiar presence in the everyday lives and aspirations of Indian consumers.
Brands
Hocco crosses Rs 530cr revenue in two years
Sauce.vc-led Rs 100cr raise values ice cream brand at Rs 2,500cr pre-money as quick commerce hits 20 per cent of sales.
MUMBAI: Hocco has just scooped a seriously sweet milestone crossing the Rs 530 crore revenue mark in just two full years of operations. The fast-growing Indian ice cream and indulgence brand announced it has raised Rs 100 crore in fresh capital led by Sauce.vc. The round values the company at Rs 2,500 crore pre-money and underscores investor confidence in its rapid scale and distinctive India-first approach.
Founder Ankit Chona said the brand’s success stems from solving real Indian challenges extreme summer heat, fragmented cold chains and culturally rooted tastes. “In India, product development doesn’t end in the lab. It only ends when it survives the street,” he noted. This philosophy has produced viral hits such as Aamchi mango ice cream, BIX cake-sponge sandwiches, the Oh cone and culturally relevant collaborations like Haldiram’s Barfi and festive Modak specials.
Hocco currently operates manufacturing facilities in Ahmedabad and Panipat with a production capacity of approximately 3 lakh litres per day, running near full capacity in peak season. The fresh capital will help expand this to around 4.5 lakh litres per day.
Quick commerce has emerged as a major growth engine, now contributing ~20 per cent of overall business and growing nearly 2x year-on-year. The channel has boosted product discovery, increased consumption frequency and helped extend ice cream beyond its traditional seasonal limits.
Sauce.vc founder Manu Chandra said, “At Sauce, we believe that when you chance upon an outlier business, you double down with stronger conviction. We see Hocco as just that.”
With a strong innovation pipeline, deeper distribution and continued focus on cultural relevance, Hocco is entering its third year aiming to capture even more mind space and market share. In a category long dominated by legacy players, this young brand is proving that the coolest way to win is to build for India’s realities, one scoop, one street and one satisfied craving at a time.
