Brands
Spykar blends AI and influencers in bold new ‘Made to fit every story’ push
MUMBAI: Spykar has launched a new fashion campaign that fuses AI-generated models with real-life social media influencers, signalling a sharp turn away from old-school male archetypes and towards a more fluid, female-led view of masculinity.
Titled “Made to fit every story”, the campaign centres on Chico, one of the brand’s best-selling denim fits. The films place AI-created characters and human creators in the same frame, a rare move in Indian fashion advertising, to deliver a visually striking and culturally playful take on how men are seen, and how they want to be seen.
Each film opens with a woman’s expectation, voiced online, and then cuts to a stylised, AI-powered fantasy of the male lead fulfilling it. The exaggerated, cinematic transitions keep the tone witty while positioning Chico as the fit that passes every test of desirability.
“Men’s fashion advertising has long been trapped in a narrow idea of masculinity,” said Spykar CEO and co-founder Sanjay Vakharia. “We wanted to flip the gaze and tell stories that feel closer to how young people connect today. Using AI models alongside creators lets us do that in a way that is both tech-forward and culturally relevant.”
Running across three stories, the campaign lands on a single provocation: “Every girl has a story: the real question is, are you dressed to be the main character in it?”
Brands
Bajaj Consumer Care FY26 profit rises to Rs 193.7 crore
Revenue climbs to Rs 1,092 crore as profit grows 49 per cent YoY
MUMBAI: Hair today, growth tomorrow Bajaj Consumer Care Limited seems to have found its shine again, posting a sharp jump in profitability even as it doubled down on brand spends and expansion. The company reported a net profit of Rs 193.7 crore for FY26, marking a strong 49 per cent rise from Rs 130.1 crore in FY25. Revenue from operations also grew to Rs 1,092.2 crore, up from Rs 942.8 crore a year earlier, signalling steady demand momentum across its portfolio.
For the March quarter, profit stood at Rs 64.1 crore, compared to Rs 31.5 crore in the corresponding period last year, while revenue rose to Rs 308.3 crore from Rs 243.5 crore.
The performance came despite a notable increase in spending. Advertising and sales promotion expenses climbed to Rs 168.3 crore in FY26, up from Rs 137.8 crore in FY25, reflecting continued investment in brand building. Other expenses also rose to Rs 151.3 crore from Rs 134.2 crore, indicating a broader push towards growth.
Operating efficiency, however, held firm. Profit before tax increased to Rs 234.8 crore in FY26 from Rs 157.7 crore a year earlier, supported by disciplined cost management across materials and inventory.
On the balance sheet, the company’s total assets expanded to Rs 959.1 crore as of March 31, 2026, compared to Rs 931.9 crore a year earlier. Other equity rose to Rs 780.3 crore, reinforcing a stronger financial base.
Cash flow from operations saw a significant uptick, reaching Rs 196.9 crore in FY26, nearly three times the Rs 67.9 crore recorded in FY25, highlighting improved working capital management.
However, the year also saw aggressive capital allocation. The company spent Rs 190.2 crore on share buybacks, contributing to a net cash outflow of Rs 196.5 crore from financing activities. Cash and cash equivalents stood at Rs 6.8 crore at the end of the year, down from Rs 25.6 crore.
Even as investments in subsidiaries and assets continued, the numbers suggest a company balancing growth ambitions with shareholder returns keeping one eye on expansion and the other on efficiency.
With margins improving and revenue steadily climbing, Bajaj Consumer Care appears to be combing through the competition with renewed confidence.
