Brands
Sussanne Khan says modern luxury is built on warmth and intention
MUMBAI: Luxury is getting a quiet makeover, and it has little to do with price tags. At Network18’s Innovate & Evolve Privé, powered by Liebherr, designer and entrepreneur Sussanne Khan said the new definition of luxury rests on warmth, intention and emotional intelligence.
Khan explained that design has shaped her life from the beginning and that true luxury lies in beauty with purpose. She shared that her work at The Charcoal Project is less about furniture and more about crafting stories within spaces. According to her, today’s idea of luxury sits at the crossroads of technology and emotion. Homes must feel soulful yet smart, blending natural materials, rare textures and thoughtful automation without losing their human touch.
She stressed that sustainability can no longer be treated as a trend. It must sit at the centre of every design choice. She highlighted practices like transforming industrial waste, empowering local artisans and experimenting with new eco-friendly materials. Curiosity, she said, is a designer’s greatest strength, because evolution stops the moment certainty begins.
Jewellery designer Farah Ali Khan added her own spark to the discussion with a story that drew both laughs and admiration. She revealed that she first tried interior design because of her mother, then dabbled in television and film, still unsure of her path. A trip to Los Angeles for what she hoped would be a carefree adventure turned into an academic triumph when she unexpectedly fell in love with gemology. She joked that she arrived hoping to party and instead became the Indian nerd who topped her class.
Farah described her design philosophy as one rooted in purpose. She cited Steve Jobs, saying design is function before anything else. Her jewellery brings together modern tools and traditional craftsmanship, creating pieces that combine precision with heritage.
With voices like these shaping the conversation, Innovate & Evolve is shining a light on how India’s idea of luxury is shifting. The new blueprint is clear: luxury today is less about excess and more about meaning, mindful choices and the willingness to evolve with intention.
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI: 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.
