Brands
Loca Loka tequila makes bold debut in India’s premium market
MUMBAI: Raise a glass, because India has a new spirit to talk about. Loca Loka, the award winning tequila brand born in Mexico and imagined in India, has officially landed in the country’s booming premium spirits market, promising top tier craft with a touch of cultural crossover.
The globally acclaimed label, co-founded by entrepreneur Sree Harsha Vadlamudi, actor Rana Daggubati and composer Anirudh Ravichander, brought its Blanco and Reposado variants to Mumbai this week after a strong international debut across the US and Southeast Asia. The brand’s name blends “Loca”, Spanish for crazy, with “Loka”, Sanskrit for world, capturing its fusion of Mexican heritage and Indian creativity.
Since launch, Loca Loka has picked up medals at major global competitions and earned a loyal following in duty free and export markets. Its India entry marks a strategic shift toward premium bars, restaurants and experience-led retail as urban consumers increasingly seek sophisticated agave based spirits.
The launch celebration lived up to the hype. An invite only tasting saw guests enjoy curated pours that highlighted Blanco’s bright agave notes and Reposado’s mellow oak warmth. The evening expanded into a Delhi dinner and a high energy Mumbai party filled with light, sound and interactive design, echoing the brand’s vibrant spirit.
The tequila arrives with serious credentials. Crafted in the highlands of Jalisco under the expertise of third generation distiller Willy Bañuelos Ramírez, Loca Loka stays true to traditional methods while embracing modern flavour sensibilities. Willy, present at the launch, noted that India’s appetite for craftsmanship and flavour makes it the perfect next chapter for the brand.
The founders offered their own take on the moment. Harsha Vadlamudi called Loca Loka “a business built on craft and clarity”, designed to meet India’s premium shift with thoughtful distribution. Rana Daggubati described the brand as a cultural remix that celebrates both Mexican terroir and India’s rhythm. Anirudh Ravichander added a playful note, revealing that the fermentation process works to music and that this batch rose to his own playlist.
The timing could not be better. India’s tequila market touched USD 600.1 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 1.68 billion by 2033. Agave based spirits grew 36 per cent by volume last year, driven by rising disposable incomes and a growing cocktail culture.
Loca Loka will first roll out in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad along with select airport duty free stores. With city activations, tastings and trade partnerships planned through 2026, the brand is positioning itself as a premium, culturally fluent choice for India’s adventurous drinkers.
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Brands
Mana Projects names Ranbir Kapoor brand ambassador amid rebranding
Bengaluru developer unveils new identity focused on design and nature.
MUMBAI: When real estate meets reel star power, the foundation for a new brand story is often laid brick by brick. Mana Projects, the Bengaluru based real estate developer, has appointed actor Ranbir Kapoor as its brand ambassador while unveiling a refreshed brand identity aimed at aligning the company with the evolving expectations of modern urban homebuyers.
The announcement marks a new phase for the developer, which has spent over two decades building residential communities in Bengaluru, particularly along emerging growth corridors such as Sarjapur Road.
The updated brand identity reflects the company’s emphasis on design led living and environmentally conscious development. According to the developer, the new positioning focuses on creating residential spaces where architecture, nature, engineering and lifestyle planning work together to shape meaningful living experiences.
Mana Projects chairman and managing director D. Kishore Reddy said the rebranding represents a natural progression as the company adapts to the expectations of a new generation of homeowners.
“This rebranding represents the natural evolution of Mana Projects as we align ourselves with the aspirations of a new generation of homeowners, particularly millennials who form the backbone of Bengaluru’s dynamic homebuyer community,” Reddy said.
He added that today’s buyers increasingly look beyond basic housing to spaces that combine design, sustainability and a strong sense of community.
“At Mana, our philosophy centres on creating homes where space is purposeful, design is intelligent, nature is respected and engineering ensures long term sustainability. Our association with Ranbir Kapoor reflects this new chapter as we continue to build communities that enable people to truly live brilliantly,” he said.
Kapoor, who has been associated with several lifestyle and consumer brands, said the partnership resonated with his own understanding of what makes a home meaningful.
“A home is one of the most meaningful investments people make in their lives, and it should reflect comfort, warmth and a sense of belonging,” Kapoor said.
“What impressed me about Mana Projects is the brilliance of their thought, the way design, nature and functionality come together to enhance everyday living. I’m delighted to be associated with Mana Projects as they continue to create homes that inspire modern urban families to truly live brilliantly.”
The collaboration will be introduced through a large scale integrated campaign spanning digital platforms, outdoor media and experiential activations, making it one of the developer’s most prominent branding initiatives in recent years.
Founded in Bengaluru, Mana Projects has built a portfolio of residential developments that emphasise thoughtful architecture, amenity rich neighbourhoods and environmentally sensitive planning. The company’s projects often integrate open spaces, green landscapes and energy efficient engineering to support sustainable urban living.
With Bengaluru continuing to attract young professionals and technology workers, the developer believes the city’s housing market is increasingly being shaped by buyers seeking well planned communities that balance functionality with quality of life.
Looking ahead, Mana Projects plans to expand its presence across the city by developing future ready residential projects designed to accommodate emerging lifestyle trends such as hybrid work culture, community driven living and multigenerational households.
By combining a refreshed brand identity with a high profile ambassador, the company hopes to strengthen its position in Bengaluru’s competitive real estate market while appealing to a new generation of homeowners seeking homes that blend design, nature and modern living.
