Brands
Kedar Apte exits Mahindra as EV charging head
Senior vice-president steps down as EV infra push gathers pace
MUMBAI: Kedar Apte has stepped down from Mahindra Group, where he served as senior vice-president and head of EV charging infrastructure, marking another leadership shift as the company accelerates its electric mobility ambitions.
Apte’s departure brings to a close a two-year stint that saw him move across diverse parts of the business, from tractors to charging grids. He joined Mahindra in 2023 to oversee international operations for its farm equipment division, with full profit and loss responsibility.
A year later, he was handed the reins of the group’s EV charging infrastructure business, a role that sits at the heart of Mahindra’s plans to plug into India’s fast-growing electric vehicle ecosystem. His exit comes at a time when automakers are doubling down on charging networks, widely seen as a key hurdle in driving mass EV adoption.
Reflecting on his tenure, Apte said, “My last three years with Mahindra have been super busy and enriching. From managing farm international business to setting up EV charging, there has never been a dull day.
As I close this chapter of my career next week, I take back a lot of learnings, cherished friendships and tons of great memories.
Thanks to all the leaders for their guidance and support and to all my colleagues for making this stint worthwhile. I start an exciting chapter of my career next week and I can’t wait for the adventure to start.”
Before Mahindra, Apte was chief marketing officer at Jio-bp, a joint venture between Reliance Industries and bp, where he worked at the crossroads of traditional fuel retail and new-age mobility solutions.
Earlier, he spent nearly a decade at Castrol, holding senior roles across marketing and sales, including chief marketing officer for India and the subcontinent, and sales director for markets spanning the Middle East, Pakistan and Egypt.
He began his career at Hindustan Unilever, spending close to ten years rising through the sales ranks, eventually managing a regional business with revenues exceeding Rs 3,000 crore.
While Mahindra has not yet announced a successor, Apte’s exit comes at a pivotal moment, as the race to build reliable charging infrastructure gathers speed and competition in the EV lane intensifies.
Brands
OPPO India rolls out Zindagi Ka Frame Wide Karo ahead of F33 launch
KL Rahul-led campaign spotlights real-life moments and front camera focus
NEW DELHI: OPPO India has unveiled its latest brand campaign, Zindagi Ka Frame Wide Karo, featuring KL Rahul, as it gears up for the launch of its upcoming F33 Series.
The campaign film, also starring content creator Satish Ray, captures the spirit of spontaneous moments and shared experiences, positioning the F33 as a front-camera-first device designed for real-life use. Set against a mountain trek backdrop, the narrative follows a group of friends whose getaway takes an unexpected turn when they run into Rahul, leading to a series of candid, unscripted moments.
Through humour and warmth, the film highlights how young consumers increasingly capture memories as they happen, without worrying about perfect framing or conditions. The storytelling underscores the device’s ability to handle wide-angle group selfies, durability in real-world scenarios and consistent performance across situations.
Sharing his experience, OPPO India brand ambassador KL Rahul said, “What I loved about this film is how real it feels. It’s not about posing or planning a perfect shot, these are the kind of moments we all live every day with friends.” He added that the device allows users to stay in the moment without worrying about the frame or performance.
Explaining the campaign thought, OPPO India head of communications Goldee Patnaik said the F series has built a reputation for durability and everyday reliability, and the F33 extends that strength into how users capture and share memories. He noted that selfies and group photos remain central to social interactions, making a dependable front camera a key focus.
Further elaborating on the idea, OPPO India head of digital marketing Sushant Vashistha said, “The idea behind ‘Zindagi ka frame wide karo’ is rooted in how young Indians experience life collectively, through friendships, fandom and shared moments.” He added that Rahul’s presence brings authenticity and relatability to the narrative.
The campaign will be rolled out across digital platforms, social media channels and video networks in the run-up to the F33 Series launch.
With this campaign, OPPO is leaning into a simple insight: life rarely fits neatly into a frame, and sometimes, the best moments are the ones that spill over.
