MAM
Karan Johar joins The Bridal Retreat to help brides-to-be script their inner fairytale
MUMBAI: Karan Johar’s latest role doesn’t come with a megaphone or a film set—it comes with a mirror. The renowned Hindi cinema filmmaker has been named the official brand ambassador for The Bridal Retreat, India’s first immersive platform designed to help brides-to-be navigate the emotional terrain of marriage beyond the glitz of the big day.
The announcement marked a unique crossover of cinema, self-reflection and ceremonial celebration. The Bridal Retreat, conceptualised by E-Factor Experiences Limited, aims to offer brides a five-day wellness-infused journey with movement therapy, communication coaching, identity workshops and cultural reflection sessions. The idea is simple: prep for the vows, yes, but start with a vow to oneself.
“I’ve spent years telling love stories through cinema—but The Bridal Retreat is about the story behind the scenes”, said Johar. “It’s not about perfect weddings—it’s about preparing women for what comes after. This retreat offers a rare opportunity: a chance for brides to meet themselves before the world meets the bride”.
Johar’s involvement brings cultural cachet and emotional heft to the project. Known for his cinematic takes on love, longing, and personal evolution, the partnership aligns with his interest in identity and introspection—this time, off-screen.
The first-of-its-kind initiative is led by co-founders Manika Garg and Sonali Thakore, and will span key Indian metros including Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Jaipur, and Goa through 2025. Participation is capped to ensure each bride receives one-on-one guidance and deep personal engagement.
E-Factor Experiences MD Samit Garg explained the intent behind the venture, “The Bridal Retreat is not just a concept—it’s a commitment. It recognises that while weddings are important milestones, what truly shapes a woman’s journey is how she enters this new phase—mindfully, emotionally equipped, and in tune with her sense of self”.
Designed to create meaningful change, the retreat will feature thought leaders from fashion, mental health, storytelling, and relationship coaching. It aims to offer not only tips for trousseau but tools for transformation.
What started as an elevated bridal experience is quickly shaping into a social movement. The Bridal Retreat signals a shift from choreographed dances and couture fittings to inner clarity and emotional grounding. As Johar puts it, the real story starts not at the altar but within.
Brands
CoinDCX co-founders held in Thane over Rs 71 lakh fraud case
Firm calls FIR false, claims impersonation scam as probe unfolds
THANE: The Thane Police have arrested Sumit Gupta and Neeraj Khandelwal, co-founders of CoinDCX, on charges of criminal breach of trust linked to an alleged Rs 71.6 lakh fraud.
The duo were picked up from Bengaluru and produced before a holiday court in Thane, which remanded them to police custody until Monday.
At the centre of the case is a complaint by an insurance advisor from Mumbra, who claims he was drawn in by promises of high returns and regulatory backing tied to cryptocurrency investments and franchise opportunities. The alleged scheme ran between August 2025 and February 2026, with funds collected through both cash and bank transfers. The promised franchise never materialised, nor did the returns, and the accused allegedly became untraceable.
Police have registered an FIR against six individuals under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and launched a broader investigation.
CoinDCX, however, has pushed back sharply. In a statement posted on X, the company described the FIR as “false” and part of a wider impersonation scam, claiming fraudsters had been posing as its founders to dupe unsuspecting investors.
“The entire conspiracy falsely claims that funds were transferred in cash to third-party accounts which have no relation to CoinDCX,” the company said, distancing itself from the alleged transactions.
The firm added that brand impersonation scams are on the rise in India’s digital finance ecosystem. It noted that it had flagged over 1,200 fake websites mimicking its platform between April 2024 and January 2026.
For now, the case sits at a familiar crossroads in India’s crypto story, where ambition, opacity and opportunism often collide, leaving investigators to untangle what is real and what merely looks the part.
