MAM
Percept Picture Company launches merchandising around ‘Hanuman’
MUMBAI: Percept Picture Company’s (PPC) Hanuman, which also happens to be India’s first 2-D animation film, is all set to hit the theatres tomorrow (21 October) and the company is leaving no stones unturned to promote the movie. A range of merchandising around Hanuman has been unveiled.
The merchandise include water sharpeners, parachutes, key chains, fun boxes, fun spring, wind chimes, puzzles, face mask and mace (gadaa).
The items are being made available at leading toy stores across the country. This is one of the first efforts being made by a film production company to create and make available at retail outlets merchandise around a film character.
Based on the initial buzz created by the merchandising, 50-70 exhibitors across the country are planning an activation around the Hanuman merchandise.
Percept Picture Company COO Mahesh Ramanathan says, “Merchandising of Hanuman items for us is an activity independent from the film and its other extensions. We are trying to experiment with the Hollywood studio model, wherein the buzz for and sale of the merchandise in some cases is more than that of the film itself, and starts well before the release of the film (i.e. Spiderman, Shrek, Star Wars, and Harry Potter). However, we are timing the release of the merchandise with the release of the film and plan to carry out the promotions / sale well beyond the life of the film.”
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI:Â 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.
