MAM
upGrad taps Sanjay Kumar to build corporate affairs & public policy vertical
Mumbai: Ed-tech major upGrad on Tuesday announced the appointment of Sanjay Kumar who will spearhead the company’s new vertical of corporate affairs and public policy for India. He will be based out of the company’s Noida office and also lead the scholarship efforts.
As part of his new role, Kumar will work with the government, industry associations and other relevant stakeholders in the policy space for propelling strategic developments, which in turn, can support the brand in creating an integrated learning ecosystem within the country, said the company in a statement.
Kumar brings with him over two decades of in-depth knowledge and expertise in running programmes at grassroots levels on government linkages and policy advocacy. Through his past endeavors, he has been associated with Sewa Bharat for 17 years as director and worked on programs that involved livelihood, microfinance, education and skill-building and public health.
“We are thrilled to have a leader like Sanjay join the upGrad family. He brings with him deep domain expertise of over two decades in the government policies space which will help upGrad with the required support from the government for seamless business growth,” stated upGrad co-founder and MD Mayank Kumar. “The times and policies are evolving rapidly, and it needs continuous reviewing to help us stay in line with the government’s efforts for creating a stronger economy. His appointment is aptly timed, and I am confident that Sanjay will bring a valuable, holistic perspective to drive this new vertical while staying true to our vision and core beliefs.”
In his last assignment, Kumar worked with the Lakshmi Mittal and Family South Asia Institute, Harvard University as an India country director for five years. During his tenure, he helped build and strengthen Harvard University’s footprint in India. At present, he also serves as the president of the Harvard Club of India.
“The edtech space is booming with potential and prospects, and it is important now, more than ever, that our stakeholders, employees and customers resonate with the brand’s philosophy,” said Sanjay Kumar. “I am extremely pleased to join the upGrad team to support the company’s leadership and business growth for accelerating global education and the lifelong learning ecosystem for our learners. Being passionate about inclusive education, I am very excited to develop various scholarship programs for upGrad to create a larger social impact through online education.”
Kumar holds a master’s in public administration and public policy from Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard University and has completed his M Phil and PhD on microfinance from JNU, New Delhi.
MAM
Paisley Pop Shop expands film collaborations for 2026 slate
Three new film tie-ups follow Rs 112 crore success of Ek Deewane ki Deewaniyat
MUMBAI: Lights, camera… couture, because in hindi movie’s latest script, jewellery isn’t just worn, it performs. Luxury label Paisley Pop Shop is doubling down on its cinematic ambitions, confirming partnerships with three upcoming film productions slated for release in late 2026. The move comes on the back of the brand’s breakout moment with Ek Deewane ki Deewaniyat, which clocked a global box office haul of Rs 112 crore by early 2026. That outing, fronted by Sonam Bajwa, saw Paisley Pop’s designs become integral to character styling turning screen presence into a trend-setting moment off-screen.
For its next act, the brand is crafting bespoke heritage pieces for lead characters across genres, spanning period dramas to contemporary narratives. While film titles remain under wraps, the strategy signals a clear pivot: from product placement to narrative integration.
Alongside these collaborations, Paisley Pop is rolling out a limited-run “Film Edit” this April. The capsule includes the “Protagonist Series” featuring sculptural Polki sets designed for high-definition visual impact, and “Heritage Revival” pieces rooted in intricate Kundan craftsmanship both aimed at translating cinematic aesthetics into consumer wardrobes.
At the centre of this expansion is a growing emphasis on storytelling through design. The brand’s J&K artisan collective, which gained visibility through its previous film outing, continues to anchor this approach, blending traditional techniques with screen-ready scale.
What began as a styling experiment now looks like a structured play at the intersection of fashion and film. And if Paisley Pop’s trajectory holds, the silver screen may soon double up as its most influential showroom.
