Brands
KL Rahul ticks all the bold boxes in Police’s new watch collection
MUMBAI: Time to turn heads KL Rahul is putting his signature style on your wrist with the launch of Police’s bold new Spring-Summer 2025 watch collection. Released on the cricketer’s birthday, the collection is a sartorial salute to individuality, fearless self-expression and most importantly audacity.
Known for its edgy, statement-making designs, Police has long stood for those who dare to be different. Its latest drop leans even harder into that ethos with timepieces that blend industrial swagger and sleek sophistication, anchored in the “Audacity Wanted” concept. And who better to front that than Rahul, a style icon who’s never played it safe on or off the field?
From see-through dials to gold-accented minimalism, the collection doesn’t shy away from drama. Take the Skeletor (Rs 25,995), a mechanical marvel with a matte olive dial, exposed mechanics, and an olive silicone strap that screams rebellion. It’s as comfortable as it is commanding.
Or meet Surigao (Rs 24,995), the Swiss Army knife of style. With day, date, and 24-hour sub-dials nestled into a matte black sunray dial, it’s equal parts muscle and precision set in an ion-plated gold case that means business.
If you like your statements loud and unapologetic, Shield (Rs 28,495) might be your match. A black transparent dial with gunmetal indexes sits inside a screw-styled case, complemented by a contrasting brown leather strap that feels both rugged and refined.
Available at Helios, World of Titan, Lifestyle, Shoppers Stop and online, the watches offer something for every wrist that doesn’t want to blend in. Whether you’re owning the boardroom or the dance floor, Police’s latest drop ensures you’re on time and on point.
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.
