Sports
Rukin Kizilbash quits Ten Sports
MUMBAI: Taj TV India GM Rukin Kizilbash has put in his papers at the company.
Part of the launch team of Ten Sports in India since April 2002, Kizilbash joined as national head of ad sales and was instrumental in raking in advertising revenues for the India Tours of Pakistan (2004 and 2006).
He was elevated to GM India operations in May 2007, and took over the responsibilities for distribution, marketing and finance, along with ad sales.
Taj TV Ltd COO Peter Hutton said, “He (Kizilbash) has not only guided us to some remarkable successes in terms of the revenue raised over the years, but has also used his 15 years of experience in the industry to develop and guide those around him. One of the core team that helped launch the channel, it is understandable that after eight years he is looking for fresh challenges.”
Kizilbash‘s next move is not clear yet but sources say he will stay within the sports media space.
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.
