News Headline
Kingfisher taps WPL energy with high-voltage brand film
MUMBAI: Kingfisher is turning up the volume on women’s cricket. Kingfisher Premium Packaged Drinking Water has unveiled a new brand film for the TATA Women’s Premier League, putting a playful, pop-culture spin on its iconic O la la la leo sonic identity as the tournament gathers momentum.
Titled Chhori aayi. Hutt le bro! Oooh la la la, oooh leo!, the high-energy film reimagines the brand’s familiar jingle to match the confidence, swagger and growing fandom around women’s cricket. The campaign positions Kingfisher as a front-row participant in the WPL story, not just a sponsor on the sidelines.
Rooted in the brand’s long-running ‘Good Times’ philosophy, the film captures moments on and off the field, blending match action, fan emotion and celebration as women’s cricket cements its place in the mainstream. The campaign has been conceptualised by Ogilvy and features players and action from across WPL teams.
“The Women’s Premier League represents a defining moment for sport and culture in India,” said Vikram Bahl, chief marketing officer at United Breweries Limited. “We wanted to celebrate the energy of TATA WPL in a way that feels instantly recognisable and uniquely Kingfisher. The refreshed sonic identity mirrors the growing vibrancy of women’s cricket and reinforces our role as a brand that brings people together around moments of joy.”
Beyond the screen, Kingfisher is pushing an integrated presence across the tournament. As an official good times partner, the brand is rolling out a multi-layered stadium experience spanning branding, technology-led engagement, entertainment and hospitality. Visibility will extend across match broadcasts, fan-facing activations at venues and a range of touchpoints designed to keep the brand top of mind through the season.
The campaign will be amplified across social media, digital platforms, on-ground activations and experiential formats, ensuring sustained reach and interaction with cricket audiences nationwide.
For Kingfisher, the WPL is more than a sponsorship play. It is a statement of intent. By aligning its sound, storytelling and on-ground presence with the rise of women’s cricket, the brand is betting on a cultural shift that is only getting louder. And as the leo rings out across stadiums and screens, Kingfisher is making it clear where the good times are headed next.
Awards
Hamdard honours changemakers at Abdul Hameed awards
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.








