MAM
Vkaao Gems receives overwhelming response for Shoplifters and Capernaum
MUMBAI: An entertainment loving country, India, is taking to world cinema and how. BookMyShow and PVR-backed Vkaao, India’s first theatre-on-demand platform has seen resounding success with its recently launched initiative Vkaao Gems. In just the initial week, both international foreign language films – Shoplifters and Capernaum, screened by Vkaao Gems, have received a tremendous response with packed theatres. The popular demand for the films has led to an extension in the screenings for another week in Mumbai.
Vkaao Gems is an exclusive property under Vkaao, which screens award-winning foreign language films in PVR Cinemas, currently across 6 cities in India.
The Oscar-nominated Lebanese film Capernaum, which traces the journey of a young boy who survives the dangers of the city streets using his wits, resonated with movie buffs across Chennai, Hyderabad and NCR region. The film ran to a full house in most cities, with Mumbai witnessing 2X occupancy on weekdays as compared to the usual. This makes Capernaum the first Arabic film to have received such an overwhelming response in India.
Shoplifters, the Japanese film which paints a heart-warming picture of a family living in poverty and stealing to make ends meet, also received an exceptional response. It is the first film by Vkaao to have released at SPI Cinemas in Chennai, achieving over 90% occupancy in its first run itself. The film saw a 95% occupancy in regions that otherwise witness an occupancy of 60-70% over weekends, resulting in 3x the usual occupancy for films of this genre. On the back of the unprecedented response, this experience will now be extended for residents of Ahmedabad and Chandigarh as well.
With Vkaao Gems bringing the best of international films to the country, this is the first instance of foreign language films being released commercially at such a large scale in India. In the coming months, Vkaao Gems has an exquisite and exciting line-up of films including Ash is Purest White (China/Mandarin), Yomeddine (Egypt/Arabic), Taxi 5 and The Big bad fox and other tales (French) and Tokyo Ghoul S (Japanese) through the year.
MAM
Shanu Singh steps down as director – The Economic Times brand at BCCL: Reports
Marketing leader joined BCCL in July 2025 to lead brand strategy for the business daily
MUMBAI: Shanu Singh has stepped down from her role as director of The Economic Times brand at Bennett, Coleman & Co Limited, according to reports.
Singh joined the company in July 2025 to lead brand strategy and integrated marketing initiatives for the flagship business daily across platforms. During her stint, she worked on strengthening brand positioning, deepening audience engagement and advancing advertiser-focused initiatives.
A marketing executive with nearly two decades of experience, Singh previously served as chief marketing officer at ASK Asset & Wealth Management. She has also held senior roles at Standard Chartered Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank.
Her next move has not yet been announced.
