Brands
Virat Kohli and Gionee celebrate milestones
MUMBAI: A brand that has managed to make a good impact in the Indian market is smartphone player Gionee. Coming to the Indian market with its unique offerings, and further getting celebrities to endorse them, Gionee has emerged as a favourite brand of Indians; and has done so in a very short span of time. The campaign has begun with an aggressive burst on OOH media nationally and will be followed by print, digital and radio too.
The smartphone brand has now achieved a new milestone where it has got 1.25 crore users using its products. To celebrate the feat, Gionee has announced the launch of a nationwide integrated campaign that has been conceptualized and executed by Mullen Lintas Delhi. The objective of this campaign is to announce this unique milestone and also let the consumers know about Gionee’s stature amongst its competitors.
To promote this milestone to the masses, Gionee has brought on board the Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli. Known as the milestone man himself, it was an apt partnership between Virat Kohli and Gionee where together they are shown celebrating milestones in their own unique way. Given Gionee’s aggressive ambition to move towards market leadership, this is a well-timed association as Virat Kohli perfectly mirrors what the brand is aiming to achieve.
Gionee marketing head Nomit Joshi said, “Gionee has reached a milestone with 1.25 crore patron base in India and the Indian cricket skipper who is creating new milestones and records was roped in as the brand ambassador. The Captain’s arrival on-board allowed us to highlight our milestone and also the partnership was mutual.”
Mullen Lintas NCD Shriram Iyer said: “Gionee and Virat Kohli – both ambitious, both hard working and currently both are on an exciting trajectory in their own respective fields. We believe it’s a perfect match to begin a great partnership.”
Mullen Lintas Delhi executive director Syed Amjad Ali says: “The campaign is aimed to make a big announcement. At the same, getting Virat Kohli on board illustrates Gionee’s leadership ambition. He is clearly a role model today and inspires millions of people. To begin with, this campaign announces Gionee’s achievement of getting 1.25 crore smartphone users. There are many more lined up and will be unveiled soon.”
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.
