MAM
Zouk’s Rakhi film shows support is as simple as holding her bag
MUMBAI: Turns out the most meaningful Rakhi gift this year… might just be a man holding a handbag. Zouk, the proudly Indian and 100 per cent cruelty-free lifestyle brand, has dropped a refreshingly emotional campaign for Rakshabandhan swapping swords and shields for something far more subtle: support in the form of a small but significant gesture.
The brand film taps into a universal scene, one we’ve all witnessed, chuckled at, or starred in. A brother, boyfriend, or dad awkwardly clutching a handbag outside a store, waiting patiently. Zouk flips this from comic relief to cultural shift, showing how modern sibling bonds are less about protection and more about partnership. In the film, a brother holds his sister’s bag not because she asks, but because she’s chasing something bigger and he’s cheering her on, bag in hand.
“Raksha Bandhan is about protection and support,” said Zouk founder Disha Singh. “But today, support doesn’t mean standing in front of someone, it means standing beside them. This film is a gentle reminder that even something as small as holding her bag can say: ‘I’m here for you.’”
But the campaign doesn’t stop at emotion, it brings the festive feels to Zouk’s shelves too. In tandem with the film, Zouk has launched a vibrant line of curated Rakhi gift boxes, all wrapped in the brand’s signature prints.
Each box includes functional and feel-good accessories like coasters, fabric diaries, bookmarks, passport covers, cosmetic pouches, and more. The idea? Gifting that’s both thoughtful and practical, something sisters (and their discerning brothers) will genuinely use and love.
To sweeten the pot literally Zouk has partnered with top Indian brands like Bombay Sweet Shop, Renee Cosmetics, Gul, and Mcaffeine to co-create exclusive hampers that hit all the right festive notes. Whether it’s the aroma of artisanal skincare or the nostalgia of desi mithai, these gift sets are designed to deliver delight in every layer.
Available now via Zouk’s Gift Shop, the festive campaign is more than just a seasonal play. It continues Zouk’s core storytelling style rooted in Indian values, aesthetically sharp, and emotionally resonant.
So, this Rakshabandhan, forget the drama of macho posturing. Sometimes, the most touching brother-sister moment is quiet, simple and slung over the arm.
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.
