Brands
Max Fashion launches ‘Max Emerging Star’
MUMBAI: Max, a leading international fast fashion brand, has announced its new property ‘Max Emerging Star’ which will serve as the perfect platform for India’s aspiring actors, dancers and fashion enthusiasts to fulfill their dreams and get groomed for superstardom. The contest is focused on the search for the most fashionable aspirant: Mr. and Miss Max Emerging Star, who has talent, the right body language, attitude and the passion to get closer to making it to Bollywood.
Nowadays, the harbinger of performing arts is not just metropolitan cities anymore, it is the Indian tier 2 cities that are now the new drivers of acting, dance and fashion. Even with the advent of communication technology, the locals do have to struggle as there are not many avenues or platforms for them to showcase their talent. Hence, with Max Emerging Star, Max aims at reaching out to these talents from small towns and provide them that perfect launch platform.
Starting from 7 March this year, auditions for the contest will be held in 04 cities including Vadodara, Visakhapatnam, Bhubaneshwar and Lucknow. Contestants will be judged by an esteemed jury panel in each of these cities and winners will be announced. These city winners will then undergo a final selection round in Mumbai on 7th April. The jury panel for the final selection round includes acting legend Anupam Kher, Actor and supermodel Marc Robinson and India’s favorite dance Guru Terence Lewis.
The schedule for the City Auditions is provided below –
Vadodara – Tuesday, 7th March 2017 at Inorbit Mall
Visakhapatnam – Saturday, 11th March 2017 at Chitralaya Mall
Bhubaneshwar – Thursday, 16th March 2017 at Rajmahal Chowk Store
Lucknow – Wednesday, 29th March 2017 at Fun Republic Mall
Registrations in each of the above cities would be 11am to 1pm on the above mentioned dates.
Eligibility criteria –
Age of participants should be between 18 to 24 years
Participant’s marital status should be single
Minimum height requirement – 5’5” for females and 5’10” for males
Participants should be of Indian nationality
Winners of each City Finale will receive a cash prize of rupees 40,000/- , will get featured on hoardings in their respective cities and will also get chance to be groomed by Actor and Supermodel Marc Robinson. The National Winners – Mr. and Miss Max Emerging Star, will be gratified with a three-month acting course at Anupam Kher’s Actor Prepares – The school for the actors and a one month intensive dance course at Terence Lewis professional training institute.
Brands
India’s food culture takes a bold turn in 2025
From fusion desserts to experiential dining, four trends reshape how the nation eats.
MUMBAI: India’s plates just got a serious upgrade in 2025 because when tradition meets TikTok and fusion meets fitness, even the humble samosa starts feeling trendy. The Godrej Food Trends Report 2025 predicted several shifts in Indian eating habits, and the past year proved the forecasters right. From reimagined desserts to immersive dining experiences, Indian consumers showed they want authenticity, convenience, global flavours and health in equal measure.
Here are four trends that truly came alive in 2025 and are now shaping how India eats and dines:
1. Indian Desserts Get a Modern Makeover Traditional mithai found fresh life through fusion experiments. Cheesecakes, truffles and plated desserts inspired by classics like gulab jamun and rasgulla gained popularity, while chocolate-forward, fruit-led and lower-sugar options appealed to younger diners. According to the How India Eats 2025 report, desserts and ice-cream parlours were among the fastest-growing segments in organised food services. Examples: The Bombay Canteen’s Coffee Rasgulla Sundae and Le Chocolate Cakes and More’s Gulab Jamun Cake. Chef Aarohi Sanghavi of Maki Patisserie noted the shift toward seasonality and fresh Indian produce, while Chef Heena Punwani of Maska Bakery highlighted the appeal of flexible, weekend-special menus.
2. Social Media Becomes the New Menu Food discovery went fully digital. Instagram Reels, YouTube reviews and creator-led content heavily influenced dining choices, with food remaining one of the most consumed categories on social media. Restaurants began designing visually striking dishes specifically for shareability, while many diners found new spots through viral videos rather than traditional advertising. The How India Eats 2025 report revealed that over 75% of marketing spends by leading QSR chains now go toward digital channels. Cafes like Mokai and Candies became creator favourites, and brands such as Bastian Hospitality curated highly shareable pop-ups and events. Kavita Rajwade of IVM Podcasts emphasised how long-form storytelling helps decode food’s cultural and economic layers, while Pranav Joshi of Floydian Cookery admitted his page grew far beyond expectations.
3. Snacking Culture Goes Mainstream India’s love for snacks evolved into a full grazing lifestyle, with many opting for multiple small bites throughout the day instead of three structured meals. This shift spurred innovation in formats—from gourmet chips and fusion street food to protein-packed options. Restaurants responded with small-plate menus designed for sharing. The How India Eats 2025 report noted that late-night orders grew nearly 3x faster than dinner. Brands like The Whole Truth Foods and Green Snack Co. popularised clean-label snacks such as protein bars and roasted nuts. Madhushree Basu Roy of Pikturenama Studios predicted a mix of convenience, health consciousness and global influences, while freelance food writer Sharmila Vaidyanathan observed that consumers want the best of both worlds healthy options for routine snacking and traditional treats for special occasions.
4. Dining Becomes an Experience, Not Just a Meal The most noticeable shift was the rise of experiential dining. Consumers increasingly sought restaurants that offered more than good food, they wanted immersion, storytelling and chef-driven concepts. Venues like Papa’s in Mumbai (intimate tasting menus), Bombay Daak (theatrical regional flavours) and Masala Library (modernist presentations) turned meals into memorable events. Tasting menus, themed pop-ups and chef collaborations became more common, transforming dining out into entertainment. The How India Eats 2025 report highlighted how experience-led formats and storytelling are key to attracting younger diners. Chef Karan Upmanyu of ParTTwo in Bengaluru observed that new outlets are breaking away from rigid formats, focusing instead on creating relaxed spaces where people simply enjoy spending time.
As 2026 unfolds, these trends suggest India’s food culture is no longer just about what’s on the plate, it’s about how the plate makes us feel, connect and remember. From a quick Reel-inspired snack to a full theatrical dining experience, Indian diners are voting with their forks for food that is both rooted in tradition and unafraid to experiment. The table, it seems, has never been more exciting.
