MAM
Kewal Kapoor joins Fun2 app as consultant global advisor & creative strategist
New Delhi: Sports and entertainment video sharing platform Fun2 app has onboarded Kewal Kapoor as consultant global advisor & creative strategist. He brings with him industry insights, vast experience in creative strategy and brand development, and innovative experience to the business gained in the largest and most successful brands worldwide.
Prior to this, Kapoor has been seen wearing several hats over his 20+ years of experience in the industry. He has been associated with print, TV, digital, mobile and has served in various capacities. Some of the institutions that he worked with included UTV, BBC, and top-notch advertising agencies.
Kapoor is also the founder & director of Chai Kreative & Oliver Green Sports, where he is currently working on something really exciting related to the world of sports. His expertise lies in conceptualising rich, brand-centric stories that enriches the brand’s overall look, feel and fragrance.
“In all my career, I’ve always believed that it is the holistic synergy of the product and strategic marketing that can take a brand and make it into something. I’m extremely excited to be part of the solution which will alleviate Fun2 App’s market presence,” said Kapoor. “Fun2 App before I came on board was only an entertainment platform, but I introduced first strategic shift and made it ‘sports and entertainment platform’ and it’ll be my personal mission to give creative and strategic input to make it the go-to platform for those who believe in “joy of creating, and joy of playing together.”
Fun2App founder Manoj Bhanu added, “We are happy that despite being deeply involved in his own company and various projects, Kewal agreed to give the strategic support. We aim to explore various waters and make Fun2 the go-to destination for creating and posting exciting videos. Also, it’s striking how closely the values Kapoor promotes will now be part of the mission, vision and purpose of Fun2. We have full confidence in Kapoor unparalleled creative exposure, and that he’ll bring invaluable insight and direction on how we can slowly and surely create a true UGC platform.”
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.
