MAM
Headline Asian Paints brings Goddess Durga home with its new film
NEW DELHI: With Durga Puja right around the corner, Asian Paints Sharad Shamman has launched its new film ‘Dugga Elo Ghawrey’ – Maa Durga is coming home.
As authorities issue new guidelines and restrictions every day and people are advised to follow social distancing and other precautions (with good reason), the gaiety and dazzle of the festival seems to have dimmed. But through its new campaign, Asian Paints wants to send the message that though things may be different, the essence of pujo and the devotees’ feelings about it will always endure.
‘Dugga Elo Ghawrey’, is a story of little Mini’s pujo surprise. The film opens with a despondent little girl, ruing the fact that she won’t get to enjoy the customary pandal hopping and other pujo delights. But her family members feel differently about it. They take it upon themselves to transform their home into a vibrant pujo pandal, complete with carnival games, snacks and sparkling laughter. As for the homecoming of the Goddess, the little girl discovers Durga Maa on her living room wall. Her mother paints the Goddess with Asian Paints wall colours, thereby bringing a new kind of celebration to light.
The melodious background score in the film has been created by renowned band Lakkhichhara.
In keeping with tradition, Asian Paints will be honouring the three best pujas or Shreshtho Pujas that inspire and are innovative this year too. It includes one pandal each for discovery of the year (Bauchorer Bismoy), innovative excellence (Nobo Nakshi), and best idol maker (best Pratima Shilpi).
Asian Paints and Durga Puja have a shared association since 1985, said MD and CEO Amit Syngle said, “This year when people thought sharadiya (the autumnal season of celebration) will look and feel different, we launched a new film to reinstate the fact that with Asian Paints Sharad Shamman, pujo is wherever you are. Just as elaborate decorations enhance the beauty of a pandal, Asian Paints adds life and colour to homes and celebrations,” he added.
Ogilvy ECD Sujoy Roy said, "As a brand of colours, Asian Paints has brought Goddess Durga home in a way that is as unconventional as it is relatable."
Brands
Jio Financial Services posts Rs 1,560 crore FY26 profit
Revenue rises to Rs 3,513 crore as investments and lending scale up.
MUMBAI: If money makes the world go round, Jio Financial Services Limited is quietly spinning a much bigger wheel. The Reliance-backed financial arm reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 1,560.9 crore for FY26, slightly lower than Rs 1,612.6 crore in FY25, even as revenue growth gathered pace.
Total revenue from operations rose sharply to Rs 3,513.3 crore in FY26 from Rs 2,042.9 crore a year earlier, driven largely by a surge in interest income, which more than doubled to Rs 1,901.9 crore from Rs 852.5 crore. Fee and commission income also saw a significant jump to Rs 597 crore, compared to Rs 155.2 crore in FY25, reflecting expanding financial services activity.
For the March quarter, profit stood at Rs 272.2 crore, broadly flat compared to Rs 269 crore in the same period last year. Quarterly revenue from operations climbed to Rs 1,018.5 crore, up from Rs 493.2 crore year-on-year, signalling steady momentum in core income streams.
Expenses, however, moved in tandem with growth. Total costs nearly quadrupled to Rs 1,982.9 crore in FY26 from Rs 524.8 crore in FY25, with finance costs alone rising to Rs 745.1 crore from just Rs 7.7 crore a year earlier, reflecting increased borrowing and scale of operations. Employee expenses also grew to Rs 387.3 crore, while other expenses expanded to Rs 755 crore.
Profit before tax stood at Rs 1,911.7 crore for the year, slightly below Rs 1,946.9 crore in FY25. After accounting for a total tax outgo of Rs 350.8 crore, the company reported its final net profit figure.
Beyond the income statement, the balance sheet tells a story of rapid expansion. Total assets surged to Rs 1,63,497 crore as of March 31, 2026, up from Rs 1,33,510 crore a year earlier. Investments alone stood at Rs 1,33,088.7 crore, underscoring the company’s strong focus on treasury and financial asset growth.
However, the year also saw sharp volatility in other comprehensive income, which swung to a loss of Rs 16,028.3 crore, largely driven by fair value changes in equity instruments. This dragged total comprehensive income for FY26 to a negative Rs 15,756.1 crore, compared to a positive Rs 14,870 crore in FY25.
On the capital front, the company’s paid-up equity share capital remained steady at Rs 6,353.1 crore, with other equity rising to Rs 1,27,500.5 crore.
The numbers reflect a business in transition scaling rapidly across lending, investments and fee-based services, but also navigating the volatility that comes with mark-to-market movements in financial assets. In other words, while the top line is accelerating, the fine print still carries a few swings.
