MAM
Hero Motors to sponsor Karthikeyan at Indian GP in October
MUMBAI: Hero Motors has announced its association with F1 driver Narain Karthikeyan and his Formula One team.
Hero Motors will be sponsoring Narain Karthikeyan and his team for the inaugural Formula One Grand Prix to be held in India in October. Hero Motors has agreed to display its logo on Narain‘s racing car in the Grand Prix as a token of its association with the event.
Hero Motors MD Pankaj Munjal said, “Hero Motors is committed to be amongst the first Indian corporate houses to compete in the Indian Grand Prix and we are indeed very proud to be associated with Narain Karthikeyan and Hispania Racing Team (HRT). The alliance with the HRT will provide a unique platform for the group to communicate its extensive competencies to a global audience.
“The association with Narain Karthikeyan and HRT team has a lot of synergies in our core values for which we are known for and truly reflects our commitment towards excellence, speed, growth and innovation.
“We operate in global markets as a truly home grown global corporate house and it gives us immense pleasure to endorse Narain Karthikeyan who is also the first Indian F1 driver who has made his presence felt at an early age of 19 years” Formula One the company says is one of the few sports in the world which has a global audience of millions and enjoys the same recognition in India as anywhere in the world. The upcoming Grand Prix in India provides the precise opportunity for Hero Motors to reinforce its core values. Formula One is a game of speed and passion. The sport is set to make its debut in India this October and the association with Narain Karthikeyan and his team gives Hero Motors the perfect opportunity to present itself to the global audience.
“The maiden Indian Grand Prix has given us an opportunity to represent ourselves in the international platform promoting the fastest Indian in the world. We are proud of the fact that we will be a part of the historic event when F1 makes its debut in India. Hero Motors always believe in achieving the best and achieve the highest standards in performance, quality and relationships. Narain‘s personality and passion towards speed and adventure perfectly syncs with what we want to achieve” adds Munjal
Karthikeyan said, “Hero is one of the oldest and most prominent Indian brands and I am pleased to be associated with it. Today is a very important step in the right direction for motor sports in the country. The sport has come a long way since the day I started racing. Viewership has gone up a lot, and corporate support is now more forthcoming. Formula One is in its nascent stage in India with great potential waiting to be explored. I hope with the support from Hero Motors we will be able to scale new milestones in the times to come”.
The Indian Grand Prix will be held in Greater Noida, India from 28 – 30 October 2011.
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.
