MAM
‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’ winners to perform in Australia
MUMBAI: The Kyunkii… and the Kasauti…. teams will have company during their Oz-land tour! Gaurav Bangia and Sarita, the first-ever winners of Zee’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, will be performing in Melbourne and Adelaide on 25 January and 26 January respectively.
According to a Zee spokesperson, the Australian Indian Music Association had contacted the music talent scouting show team in August 2002. The association expressed a keen desire to showcase musical talent for music-loving Indians residing in Australia. The association, along with the show producers, agreed to promote the new talents. It was hence decided that the winners of the then newly launched Sa Re Ga Ma Pa would be given an opportunity to perform in Australia.
Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, according to the spokesperson, has been a platform to identify and nurture fresh talent and has given them a chance to establish themselves in the music industry. The unplugged concert will be a debut international performance by Gaurav and Sarita and will be a great platform for the youngsters. A few local performers are also likely to perform along with them.
The original show Sa Re Ga Ma (hosted by Sonu Nigam) was a great launch pad for a number of new talents. The winner in the best singer category at Zee Cine Award for her song ‘Dola Re Dola’ in the movie Devdas, Shreya Ghosal, is just such a talent.
MAM
Shoppers Stop elevates Biju Kassim as GSS Beauty CEO
Move comes as GSS Beauty scales global brand partnerships in India.
MUMBAI: From store shelves to global shelves, the beauty game is getting a sharper makeover. Shoppers Stop has elevated Biju Kassim as managing director and chief executive officer of Global SS Beauty Brands Limited (GSSBB), signalling a stronger push into the premium beauty segment. The move builds on Kassim’s role in setting up GSSBB, a wholly owned subsidiary that has quickly positioned itself as a fast-growing distribution platform for global beauty brands in India. The unit has been central to Shoppers Stop’s ambition of expanding its footprint in the high-margin beauty and luxury categories.
Chairman Nirvik Singh noted that Kassim’s experience across the beauty ecosystem and his understanding of premium and luxury consumers would help steer the next phase of growth. The focus, he indicated, will be on sharpening the company’s beauty portfolio and scaling partnerships with international brands.
Kassim, for his part, steps into the role at a time when India’s premium beauty market is undergoing rapid evolution, driven by rising consumer aspirations and increased access to global labels. He highlighted that GSSBB will remain a key strategic pillar, with an emphasis on expanding brand partnerships, enhancing consumer experiences and driving growth across markets.
As global beauty brands continue to eye India as a high-growth destination, Shoppers Stop’s bet is clear: owning not just the shelf, but the entire beauty ecosystem behind it.
