Sports
Kurkure ad made a year ago celebrates India’s T20 World Cup win
Pre-planned front-page tribute in English newspaper ties blue-orange Jowar Puffs to national pride.
MUMBAI: Kurkure didn’t just back the winning team, it printed the victory party invite a full year before the final whistle. A striking front-page advertisement in one of India’s leading English newspapers on the morning after India’s T20 World Cup triumph carried a clever twist, “This Ad Was Made A Year Ago.” The creative paid tribute to the Men in Blue with the line “India Ne Kurkure Ko Sirf Khaaya Nahi, Full Dil Se Apnaaya,” revealing that Kurkure had already wrapped its new Jowar Puffs pack in the Indian jersey’s blue and orange colours long before the historic win.
The ad continued, “Jeet Ki Roar Se Pehle… India Ke Apne Brand Ne Indian Jersey Ki Shaan Mein Kurkure Jowar Puffs Ka Pack Rang Diya… A Year Before Men In Blue Were Winning, We Were Already Twinning!”
The campaign, which quickly went viral, perfectly captured the nation’s celebratory mood while showcasing Kurkure’s deep-rooted Indian identity. Born and built in India, the brand has been part of households for over 25 years, growing alongside the country’s tastes and milestones.
The timing also aligned with the launch of Kurkure Jowar Puffs, a baked, millet-based snack made with jowar (sorghum) that combines traditional Indian grains with Kurkure’s signature bold taste. Launched to mark the brand’s 25th anniversary, it taps into the rising demand for healthier snacking options.
Pepsico India marketing director for Kurkure and Doritos Ankit Agarwal said, “For over 25 years, Kurkure has been proudly made in India and deeply woven into the country’s cultural fabric. As the nation came together to celebrate this historic victory, we wanted to mark the moment with a tribute that reflects both our pride in the Men in Blue and Kurkure’s own journey alongside India. It also felt like a natural fit with Kurkure Jowar Puffs.”
In a country where cricket victories feel like national festivals, Kurkure didn’t just join the party, it showed up with the snacks and the foresight, proving that the best celebrations are the ones you start planning long before the first six is hit.
Sports
After Virat Kohli’s exit, One8 Commune Bengaluru shuts down
Outlet near Chinnaswamy closes amid rent row, compliance issues mount
BENGALURU: The One8 Commune outlet near M. Chinnaswamy Stadium has shut down following a court order, bringing a turbulent chapter for the high-profile dining destination to a close.
The immediate trigger was a legal dispute over unpaid dues. The outlet, operated by Trio Hills Hospitality, had reportedly defaulted on rent payments for nearly six months. Including maintenance charges and revenue share commitments, the outstanding amount is said to have crossed Rs 2 crore. A Bengaluru civil court subsequently directed the closure of the premises until all financial obligations are cleared.
The shutdown comes months after Virat Kohli, whose brand name lent the outlet its identity, had already distanced himself from the Bengaluru franchise. According to reports, concerns around repeated compliance-related issues prompted his team to withdraw the association. The removal of the One8 branding is believed to have impacted footfall, further straining the business.
The outlet had also faced regulatory scrutiny over the years. In 2024, authorities booked the establishment for operating beyond the 1:00 am curfew. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike had issued notices over missing fire safety clearances, while an FIR was filed for violating tobacco regulations by not providing a designated smoking zone under applicable laws.
In response to the closure, the brand maintained that the issue stemmed from building-level compliance responsibilities linked to the property owner rather than operational lapses on its part. It also denied that financial default was the primary reason, reiterating that customer safety remained a priority.
For now, the shutters remain down. While a reopening is theoretically possible if disputes are resolved, the absence of Kohli’s brand association makes a return under the One8 banner increasingly unlikely.
