Brands
Indian brands show witty side on April fool’s day
MUMBAI: April fool’s day gives everyone a chance to enjoy some hearty laughs and pranks at the expense of friends, colleagues or families. This is the day when you trust no one and nothing. But sometimes, the trickery is so fine that it takes forever for one to realise that they have been fooled. This 1 April, a number of brands played their best cards. Here are some of the best specimens we saw on our social media handles.
Kingfisher
Kingfisher announced the launch of a new product – Kingfisher’s Instant Beer mix, a revolutionary product which would change the beer industry. People were asked to register for free samples, which they did in abundant numbers. As per the brand, people also made WhatsApp groups discussing the product, hence making it a trending topic on the messaging app too.
Netflix India
Netflix India’s April fool’s prank started 14 days in advance as it started sharing cryptic messages that seemed to be pointing towards the much awaited season 2 of the popular original series Sacred Games.
Calendar nikaal. Tareekh likh le. 14 din mein kuch bada hone wala hai.
— Netflix India (@NetflixIndia) March 19, 2019
But on 1 April it turned out to be a very creative announcement of the launch of popular American sitcom F.R.I.E.N.D.S on its platform.
Koi bolta hai sach hai, koi bolta hai mazak, par mandala kabhi kisi ko samajh mein nahi aya. pic.twitter.com/Io681VfPrS
— Netflix India (@NetflixIndia) April 1, 2019
Ola
Ride-hailing platform Ola came up with an interesting solution to the one big problem that the generation, which is ‘always on the go’ faces, the lack of public toilets. It announced Ola Restroom facilities on its social media handles attracting a lot of eyeballs. However, after telling people that it was indeed an April Fool’s prank, they also shared that from now onwards, people can opt to donate Re 1 to Gramalya and help it build toilet across India.
Thank you for laughing with us. While #OlaRestrooms are not here yet, we can do our bit to facilitate better sanitation for thousands. Starting 2nd April you can opt to donate ₹1/ride to https://t.co/WSZtcQyo34 & help them build toilets across India https://t.co/P8a2MHS9uy pic.twitter.com/ZmzteQK7ny
— Ola (@Olacabs) April 1, 2019
One Plus
India’s premium smartphone brand One Plus released a small teaser of its Warp Car, an electric supercar printed using SLS 3D and ABS 3D printing that can also can be customised. The car doesn’t have a steering wheel and relies on smartphone control. It also asked people to participate on Twitter and Facebook with the hashtag #WarpCar to win one.
Get your hands on the fastest-charging electric car in the world. Available April 31. #WarpCar
— OnePlus (@oneplus) April 2, 2019
Pepsi
Pepsi used its influencer network to position its ‘Har Ghoont Mein Swag’ motto via a unique prank where a group of friends tricked a guy into a fake meet and greet with Bollywood actress Disha Patani. The video of the prank got viral as it was also shared on Disha Patani’s official Instagram handle.
7 UP
7 UP took its April Fool’s prank to the streets of Chennai as it teamed up with popular Tamil actor Sathish Muthukrishnan who posed as a local taxi driver in the city and drove around town, pranking unassuming passengers.
Brands
Zinema Media to issue new shares and acquire Beontyme Tech Stake
Board approves 1.93 crore share issuance and 60 per cent acquisition via share swap
MUMBAI: Zinema Media & Entertainment Limited has announced a series of significant corporate decisions following its board meeting held on 2nd March 2026. The company is proceeding with a substantial capital raise along with a strategic acquisition aimed at strengthening its footprint in the media services sector.
The Board has approved the issuance of 1,93,00,000 equity shares at a price of Rs 10 per share on a preferential basis. The shares will be issued against cash consideration and allotted to a group of 15 investors. Among the key allottees are Nova Film Studios LLP and Lords & Partners Property Management Service Private Limited, each receiving 50,00,000 shares. Additionally, M Kiran Kumar and Dean Estates Private Limited will be allotted 15,00,000 shares each. The proposed issuance marks a significant step in bolstering the company’s capital base.
In a parallel move, Zinema has also approved the acquisition of a 60 per cent equity stake in Beontyme Technologies Private Limited. The transaction will be executed through a share swap arrangement rather than a cash deal. Under this structure, Zinema will issue 6,000 of its own equity shares to the existing shareholders of Beontyme Technologies in exchange for the majority stake.
Beontyme Technologies, incorporated in December 2021, operates within the media services segment. While the company has reported nil turnover over the past three financial years, Zinema indicated that the acquisition is strategically aligned with its long-term growth plans and expansion objectives.
Both the preferential allotment and the acquisition are subject to shareholder approval. The company has scheduled an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) on Saturday, 28th March 2026, which will be conducted via video conferencing to seek formal consent for these proposals.
