Brands
Hyatt Finds its star in Karisma Kapoor
MUMBAI: Looks like luxury just got a little more Karisma! Hyatt has launched its latest World of Hyatt campaign in India, starring Hindi cinema icon Karisma Kapoor, inviting travellers to discover a world where loyalty isn’t just rewarded, it’s recognised and felt.
Rooted in Hyatt’s purpose of caring for people so they can be their best, the campaign celebrates the World of Hyatt as more than just a loyalty programme. It’s a global community that turns every stay into a personal story, offering guests everything from free nights and upgrades to experiences that feel uniquely their own.
“In a world where travel can feel impersonal, World of Hyatt stands apart for the way it makes people feel,” said Hyatt India & SWA regional vice president – commercial Kadambini Mittal. “Welcoming Karisma Kapoor allows us to express our purpose of care in a way that’s warm, relatable, and inspiring. This isn’t just a campaign, it’s an invitation to belong.”
Radiating her signature charm, Karisma Kapoor shared, “I’m thrilled to be part of a campaign where personalised care meets unforgettable experiences. It’s more than a stay, it’s about creating moments that feel like home, wherever you are.”
The campaign, now live across digital, social, and offline platforms, captures the heart of modern travel, luxury that listens, recognises, and remembers. With Kapoor as its muse, Hyatt isn’t just promising a room; it’s promising a feeling.
Brands
Kotak Mahindra Prime names Suraj Rajappan as managing director and chief executive
The car-finance arm of Kotak Mahindra Bank lines up a new chief and raises its borrowing limit
MUMBAI: Suraj Rajappan is getting the keys. Kotak Mahindra Prime Limited (KMPL), India’s veteran car-finance outfit, has named him managing director and chief executive, effective June 1st, 2026—the same day his predecessor drives off into retirement.
The board approved the appointment at its meeting on March 18th. Rajappan, currently a whole-time director at the company, has spent his entire 24-year career at KMPL, working across functions before rising to the top job. The three-year term remains subject to shareholder approval, and the company confirmed he faces no bar from SEBI or any other authority from holding the post.
He takes over from Shahrukh Todiwala, who superannuates on May 31st after more than three decades with the Kotak Group. Ashok Vaswani, managing director and chief executive of parent Kotak Mahindra Bank, was generous in his send-off. Todiwala, he said, “leaves behind a legacy marked by prudent growth, strong risk discipline, and a focus on customer-centricity.” Of his successor, Vaswani was equally bullish: Rajappan’s “deep industry experience and execution capabilities position KMPL well for its next phase of growth.”
The board also loosened the purse strings, raising the company’s overall outstanding debt limit from Rs 43,000 crore to Rs 48,000 crore. The expanded ceiling covers bank loans, debentures, commercial paper, treasury operations, credit facilities and external commercial borrowings.
KMPL has operated as a car-finance company since 1996, branching into two-wheeler loans in 2018 and loans against property in 2021. With fresh leadership, a bigger borrowing arsenal and an ambitious lender for a parent, Rajappan’s first task is clear: step on the accelerator.
