MAM
Mankind Pharma ropes in Vijay Sethupathi as brand ambassador
Mumbai: Pharmaceutical company Mankind Pharma has announced its association with Vijay Sethupathi, an Indian actor and producer who has predominantly contributed to Tamil cinema.
In lieu of this association, the company will be donating Rs 31 lakh to the Film Employees Federation of South India (FEFSI). FEFSI is an Indian organisation consisting of technicians from the Tamil Film Industry in Tamil Nadu, India. The amount donated will help all those who are facing a slowdown due to the pandemic and will support the growth of the organization and its members, said the statement.
“We believe that Vijay Sethupathi is an ideal personality for us as a brand ambassador and has an emotional connect with the audience which is why people call him ‘People’s Treasure.’ Both Mankind Pharma and the superstar have a common synergy and thought process of serving life in the country, and we feel this mutual alliance will be a prolific one for both of us,” said Mankind Pharma managing director and vice-chairman Rajeev Juneja. “We at Mankind Pharma always selflessly contribute towards the betterment of the society and believe in serving life, we hope that the token amount donated to FEFSI will help provide assurance towards the growth of the company. Together we will continue to selflessly contribute towards the betterment of the society.”
Mankind Pharma aspires to aid the community in leading a healthy life by formulating, developing, commercialising, and delivering affordable and accessible medicines that satisfy urgent medical needs, stated the healthcare brand.
Sethupathi, who is known to be a philanthropist at heart, has won fifteen awards in the category of Best Actor which includes Filmfare Award- Tamil, National Film Award, Vijay Award for Best actor among others. “It is a pleasure to partner with Mankind Pharma as the brand ambassador and represent the brand in the southern market,” said the South actor. “The company perfectly justifies the true meaning of ‘Mankind’ and the motto of ‘Serving Life’ in the industry. I am honoured to be a part of the Mankind Pharma family and hope to serve the society together.”
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI: Jubilant FoodWorks Limited has landed in a tax tussle after receiving a GST demand of Rs 47.5 crore from the office of the additional commissioner of CGST and central excise in Thane, Maharashtra.
The order, issued under the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, relates to an alleged incorrect classification of certain services under the category of restaurant services. According to the tax authorities, this classification resulted in a short payment of goods and services tax for the period between the financial years 2019-20 and 2021-22.
The demand includes Rs 47.5 crore in GST along with an equal amount as penalty, in addition to applicable interest. The order was received by the company on March 13, 2026.
In a regulatory filing to the BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, the company said it disagrees with the order and believes its arguments were not adequately considered.
The company is preparing to challenge the decision and plans to file an appeal. It added that once the redressal process is complete, the demand is likely to be dropped.
Despite the sizeable figure attached to the notice, the company said it does not expect any material impact on its financials, operations or other activities.
The disclosure was signed by Suman Hegde, EVP and chief financial officer, who confirmed that the company received the order at 19:06 IST on March 13 and has already initiated steps to contest it.
The development places the quick service restaurant major in the middle of a tax debate that could hinge on how certain restaurant-linked services are classified under GST rules. For now, the company appears ready to take the matter from the tax office to the appeals desk.
