MAM
Ravi Kiran promoted to Starcom South Asia CEO; Nayyar, Porwal also elevated
MUMBAI: Starcom Mediavest Group today announced promotions for three key individuals in its Indian operations. With immediate effect, Starcom India West/South MD Ravi Kiran, will move up to CEO of Starcom South Asia – which covers India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal.
Starcom Delhi executive director Anita Nayyar moves up to managing director, India – North. Also Starcom general manager Manish Porwal moves up to executive director, India – West.
In order to preserve the dual management structure which was put in place in February 2003, and has driven some spectacular success, Starcom India will continue to have sub regions reporting in to Kiran.
What this means is that the Bangalore and Chennai office heads will be directly reporting in to Kiran. Additionally, the diversified units — Starcom IP, Starcom Entertainment, Relay and Star Sight — will continue to report directly to Kiran.
“While Starcom currently has operations only in India, there is a lot of interest from potential partners in the region and putting Ravi in charge ensures we have someone to drive our growth across these markets. We expect to have operations in Sri Lanka and Pakistan by early 2006 and Ravi will need to provide a centre for training, systems, tools and other resources out of India. Also, there are opportunities which require a unified perspective across all of our resources in India which Ravi will now be in a position to pursue,” said Starcom Mediavest Group Asia CEO D Sriram.
“I’m particularly pleased that the three individuals we are promoting today have all been with us now for over two years – Ravi in particular for seven. Continuity in senior management allows us the opportunity to grow and develop our structure around the same people who’ve proven their ability to drive success,” added Sriram.
Brands
Maharashtra panel orders Lodha to refund Rs 5 crore to homebuyers
Consumer court flags unfair practices in long-running property dispute case
MUMBAI: In a sharp rebuke to one of India’s biggest real estate players, the Maharashtra State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed Macrotech Developers to refund nearly Rs 5 crore to a senior citizen couple, Uttam and Anindita Chatterjee. The ruling, delivered on March 13, 2026, calls out the developer for “deficiency in service” and “unfair trade practices”, bringing closure to a dispute that has stretched over a decade.
The case traces back to 2015, when the couple booked a 3-BHK flat at World Towers in Lower Parel for Rs 12.22 crore, with possession promised within a year. What followed was a series of changes that complicated matters. After deciding to exit the project, they were persuaded to shift to a 4-BHK in another development priced at Rs 8 crore, with delivery scheduled for 2018. However, within months, the price was allegedly increased to Rs 10 crore. After demonetisation reshaped the market, similar flats were reportedly being offered at lower prices, but the couple were not given the benefit.
Despite paying over Rs 2.83 crore, the couple neither received possession nor clarity. Instead, in 2018, the developer unilaterally cancelled the booking, retained part of the amount as earnest money, and argued that the buyers were investors rather than consumers. The commission rejected this claim, observing that casual references to “investment” do not take away consumer rights when the purchase intent is residential.
The bench also held that the developer could not penalise buyers for payment delays while failing to meet its own delivery commitments. It noted the lack of formal documentation for revised terms and termed the prolonged retention of funds without delivering a home as exploitative.
As part of its order, the commission directed the developer to refund Rs 2.83 crore paid by the couple, along with interest at 10 per cent per annum, amounting to around Rs 2.12 crore. In addition, Rs 1 lakh has been awarded for mental agony and Rs 50,000 towards litigation costs, taking the total payout to over Rs 5 crore. The developer has been asked to comply within two months.
For now, the ruling serves as a reminder that in real estate, shifting terms and delayed promises can carry a significant cost.
