MAM
Sweet victory as Fortune cooks up record 800 kg modak for Ganesh Chaturthi
MUMBAI: When it comes to Ganesh Chaturthi, size clearly does matter especially if you’re serving up an 800 kg modak. Fortune Foods, India’s No. 1 staples brand and part of AWL Agri Business Ltd (formerly Adani Wilmar Ltd), has officially entered the World Record Book of India with the “Biggest Modak Using Traditional Ingredients.”
Crafted from Fortune Besan, Fortune Sugar, milk and mawa, the mammoth sweet took centre stage at Girgaon Cha Raja, one of Mumbai’s oldest and most revered mandals. The giant creation wasn’t just a crowd-puller but also a statement of Fortune’s presence in 1 out of every 3 Indian households. With 5,000 sq. ft. of branding at the pandal, Fortune made sure its name was as much a part of the celebration as the devotional chants.
The brand went full throttle with its 360-degree festive campaign rolling out branding across 25 pandals in Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Pune, Nashik and Nagpur, covering an eye-popping 166,800 sq. ft. Add to that Mygate activations in 132 societies, branding in 800 plus lifts, two LED screens at Lalbaugh Cha Raja, and a quirky digital contest where users built virtual Ganeshas to unlock festive greetings. Influencers only helped sweeten the buzz.
AWL Agri Business Ltd joint president of sales & marketing Mukesh Mishra summed it up: “At the heart of every festival lies food, and for Ganesh Chaturthi, nothing says devotion like modak. We wanted to celebrate tradition at scale.” The Girgaon Cha Raja Mandal echoed the sentiment, calling the unveiling a “historic moment that blended tradition with grandeur.”
Founded in 1928, Girgaon Cha Raja is known for its eco-friendly clay idol and emphasis on heritage over spectacle. This year, Fortune’s record-breaking sweet offering gave devotees a story to remember proving once again that festivals are as much about flavour as they are about faith.
Brands
Funskool India crosses US$40 million turnover in FY 2025-26
Toy manufacturer posts steady growth despite global headwinds.
MUMBAI: Funskool India has played its cards well turning challenges into steady growth while keeping the fun alive in the toy business. The country’s leading toy manufacturer has reported a turnover of $40 million in FY 2025-26, demonstrating resilience in a difficult global environment. The company recorded an average growth of 14 per cent over the past two years, with exports growing at a healthy 19% year-on-year.
While domestic business grew at a modest single-digit pace, Funskool saw encouraging traction in key categories such as Fundough (dough) and Handycrafts (arts & crafts).
Funskool India Ltd. CEO K.A. Shabir said, “We successfully navigated the challenges posed by US tariffs last year and continued to grow both our export and domestic businesses. Given the ongoing geopolitical situation in West Asia, we are currently working with a moderate growth outlook of 12–15 per cent, with plans to revisit our targets after Q1 once the situation stabilises.”
He highlighted strengthened partnerships with global companies including Spin Master (Canada), Moose Toys (Australia), Melissa & Doug (USA), Asmodee (France), Learning Resources (USA), and Buffalo Games (USA). The expansion of the company’s Goa plant is progressing and is expected to be completed by the end of the current financial year.
Looking ahead, Funskool expects a significant shift in domestic growth momentum for FY 2026-27, driven by new categories such as friction vehicles under the brand “BlazeTrix”, remote-control cars under “VoltRush”, and the addition of popular licences like Paw Patrol.
In an industry where playtime never stops, Funskool has shown that even in turbulent times, a smart strategy and strong partnerships can keep the business ticking along nicely. As it gears up for the next financial year, the company appears well-positioned to build on its solid foundation and bring even more joy to children worldwide.
