MAM
Paint it posh Birla Opus adds luxury strokes to Indian wall finishes
MUMBAI: Why just colour your walls when you can couture them? Birla Opus Paints is bringing the runway to the living room with its new Designer Finish range, two luxe collections that aim to give Indian interiors a high-fashion upgrade, one wall at a time.
Unveiled by Aditya Birla Group’s Grasim Industries, the Dream and Timeless collections are part of a bold push to make walls more than just backdrops. Think high-definition 3D textures, metallic shimmers, and artisanal finishes inspired by nature and Italian craftsmanship, all underpinned by eco-friendly innovation.
The Dream Collection leans into drama, offering 14 nature-themed designs across 140 permutations. Whether you fancy a wall that evokes the sea or the shimmer of clouds at dusk, the collection comes with water-resistant, long-lasting shades made to impress. Bonus: it’s not just beautiful, it’s built to last.
Meanwhile, the Timeless Collection keeps things earthy and elegant. With lime-based finishes that mimic the raw textures of stone, clay and marble, it’s made for those who like their luxury with a little rustic soul. And both ranges walk the green talk, with low-VOC formulations that keep indoor air quality breathable and healthy.
But the real flex? Experience-led retail. Birla Opus is not just selling paint; it’s selling inspiration. The brand is rolling out Paint Studios in cities like Mumbai, Gurugram and Lucknow immersive spaces where customers can see and touch the new finishes before committing to a makeover. These studios, along with a growing network of franchise stores, are part of the brand’s ambitious plan to make upscale design feel personal and accessible.
Commenting on the launch Birla Opus Paints CEO Rakshit Hargave said, “At Birla Opus Paints, we understand that today’s consumers are seeking more than just products; they desire experiences and products that reflect purpose and value.Our aim is not only to redefine creativity with advanced design technology and sustainable solutions, but to also set new standards in interior luxury.At the back of our Paint Studio and franchisee stores launches across India, we’re now presenting consumers with these exquisite finishes inspired from nature’s beauty and Italian artistrythat will definitely adda taste of luxury to your home.”
With plans to expand into more metros including Bangalore, Delhi, Hyderabad and Kolkata, Birla Opus is aiming for national saturation and wall domination.
Because in 2025, walls don’t just wear paint. They wear personality.
Brands
YES Bank hands the keys to SBI veteran Vinay Tonse as it bets on a new era
Former SBI managing director appointed as YES Bank’s new MD and CEO
MUMBAI: YES Bank is done rebuilding. Now it wants to grow. The private sector lender has appointed Vinay Muralidhar Tonse as managing director and chief executive officer-designate, with RBI approval secured and a start date of April 6, 2026 confirmed. The three-year term signals the bank’s intent to shift gears from crisis recovery to full-throttle expansion.
Tonse, 60, is no stranger to scale. Most recently managing director at State Bank of India, he oversaw a retail book of roughly $800bn in deposits and advances, one of the largest in the country. Before that, he ran SBI Mutual Fund from August 2020 to December 2022, a stint that saw assets under management surge from Rs 4.32 lakh crore to Rs 7.32 lakh crore across market cycles. Add stints in Singapore and four years leading SBI’s overseas operations in Osaka, and the incoming chief arrives with a genuinely global CV.
His academic grounding is equally solid: a commerce degree from St Joseph’s College of Commerce, Bengaluru, and a master’s in commerce from Bangalore University.
The appointment follows an extensive search and evaluation process by the bank’s Nomination and Remuneration Committee. NRC chairperson Nandita Gurjar said the committee unanimously backed Tonse, citing his leadership track record, governance credentials and ability to drive the bank’s next phase of transformation.
Non-executive chairman Rama Subramaniam Gandhi was unequivocal. “I am certain that Vinay Tonse, with his vast experience as a senior banker, will propel YES Bank to its next phase of growth,” Gandhi said, adding that the bank remains focused on strengthening its retail and corporate banking franchises and expanding its branch network.
Rajeev Kannan, non-executive director and senior executive at Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, the bank’s largest shareholder, said Tonse’s experience across retail, corporate banking, global markets and asset management positioned him well to lead the lender. SMBC said it looks forward to working with Tonse and the board as YES Bank pursues its ambition of becoming a top-tier private sector lender anchored in strong governance and sustainable growth.
Tonse succeeds Prashant Kumar, who took the helm in March 2020 when YES Bank was in freefall following a severe financial crisis, and spent six years painstakingly stabilising the institution, rebuilding governance and restoring operational scale. Gandhi was generous: “The bank remains indebted to Prashant Kumar, who is responsible for much of what a strong financial powerhouse YES Bank is today.”
Tonse, for his part, struck a purposeful note. “Together with the board and my colleagues, I remain deeply committed to creating long-term value for all our stakeholders,” he said, pledging to build on Kumar’s foundation guided by his personal motto: Make A Difference.
Beyond the balance sheet, Tonse played cricket at college and club level and represented Karnataka in archery at the national championships — sports he credits with teaching him teamwork, situational leadership, discipline and focus. In quieter moments, he reaches for retro Kannada music, classic Hindi songs, and the crooning of Engelbert Humperdinck, Mukesh and Kishore Kumar.
YES Bank has its steady-handed rebuilder in Kumar to thank for survival. Now it has a scale-obsessed growth banker at the wheel. The next chapter starts April 6.
