Latest news with #BookMyShow
New Indian Express
a day ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Satya hai: Darwinian wisdom that Microsoft learnt and startups must adopt
We're seeing more builders than ever before in this day and age of Startup India. But we're also seeing more burnout, more course correction, and more quiet exits. The biggest culprit: the illusion that business success stems from a clear, linear plan. This is a hangover from the industrial age, when markets were predictable, consumers stable, and disruption slow. That world no longer exists. These are the days of founders who know when to abandon their plans—and pivot with purpose. Take Satya Nadella's transformation of Microsoft. When he took over as CEO of Microsoft in 2014, the company had all the attributes of success: market share, capital, brand recognition. Yet, it was stagnating, distracted by its Windows legacy, disconnected from the mobile revolution, and defensive about innovation. Nadella didn't just tweak the plan; he discarded its central dogma. He shifted Microsoft's focus from 'know-it-all' to 'learn-it-all', famously bringing empathy and adaptability to a technocratic fortress. The results? A stock price that soared over 900% in under a decade and a cultural shift that made Microsoft relevant in AI, cloud, and enterprise. The lesson is not merely managerial, it's philosophical: "The business plan is a fiction you write to begin, not a scripture you follow to the end." Closer home, Ashish Hemrajani's BookMyShow is another case in point. It started in the late '90s, pre-digital India. The dot-com bust nearly buried it. It took years of grinding reinvention before the business model finally fit the Indian reality. Most would've shut shop. Hemrajani didn't. He adapted. He waited. He learned. In these cases, what worked was not the original plan, it was the ability to abandon it at the right time. When the pivot becomes the core In today's entrepreneurial ecosystem, especially after the pandemic, the pivot is no longer a reaction, it is strategy. A 2023 McKinsey Global Survey found that over 70% of startups had significantly altered their business model within the first 24 months. This isn't a sign of chaos; it's a sign of cognitive flexibility. What separates a unicorn from a flameout is often how fast the founder can unlearn. India's regulatory and economic volatility further compounds this need for agility. One day you're riding a policy wave (think: UPI, GST simplification); the next, you're blindsided by a tax ruling or data protection clause. Founders who insist on rigidity are simply not building for India. The Ratan Tata lesson What's often missing from the glossy entrepreneurship narrative is the emotional toll of starting over. Every time you pivot, you risk losing investor trust, dampening employee morale, and bringing down your own self-belief. There's no pride in telling your team that the last 18 months of work must be left behind. That's why entrepreneurship isn't for the blindly optimistic, it's for those who are strategically humble. The ability to let go of your prized ideas, walk away from sunk costs, and treat failure as useful feedback is the mindset the new economy demands. As Ratan Tata once said in a rare candid moment: "Many of our successes were not based on perfect planning. We learned as we went along." The Tata Group's global ventures, some of which failed before becoming case studies, reflect this kind of resilience.
Mint
2 days ago
- Business
- Mint
ICICI Coral Credit Card review 2025: Features, rewards, lounge access and how to maximise benefits
The ICICI Coral Credit Card stands out as a lucrative choice for individuals seeking an entry-level premium card experience without the burden of hefty fees. This credit card is issued by ICICI Bank, one of the nation's leading private sector banks. It is designed to cater to both shoppers and travelers alike. It provides a blend of rewards, lifestyle and travel benefits. With a joining fee of just ₹ 500 plus GST and an annual fee that can be waived off by spending ₹ 1.5 lakh in a year, it provides a clearly cost-effective solution for credit cardholders looking to maximise the benefits of using a credit card in an easy-going manner in day-to-day life. The ICICI Coral Credit card holders benefit from a straightforward yet simple reward points system. For every ₹ 100 spent on retail excluding fuel, users earn two reward points, whereas utilities and insurance transactions fetch one reward point per ₹ 100 spent. The credit card also features distinct milestone rewards. For example, 2,000 points are credited upon spending ₹ 2 lakh and an additional 1,000 points for every ₹ 1 lakh spent thereafter, up to a maximum of 10,000 points on an annual basis. These points can be redeemed for a variety of options, including travel vouchers, lifestyle products, or even cash, thus ensuring flexibility and tangible value for users. One of the ICICI Coral Credit Card's most standout features is its complimentary access to airport and railway lounges. Recent policy changes require cardholders to spend ₹ 75,000 in the preceding quarter to unlock one complimentary domestic airport lounge access for the next quarter. Furthermore, users enjoy one complimentary railway lounge access every quarter, making it a decisive game changer for frequent travellers. The case becomes even more compelling if you are a traveller from a smaller city. The credit card also provides a 1% waiver on fuel surcharges at HPCL outlets for transactions between ₹ 400 and ₹ 4,000. In case of entertainment, the credit card offers a 'Buy One Get One' deal on movie tickets. This service is provided through BookMyShow and INOX twice every month. Credit card holders can also avail of dining discounts at over 2,500 restaurants under the ICICI culinary treats programme. The security is enhanced by chip and PIN technology, resulting in safe transactions at merchant outlets. Feature Details Effective joining cost ₹ 590 including GST ( ₹ 500 + 18% GST) Annual fee waiver logic Waiver applicable from second year onwards upon ₹ 1.5 lakh annual spend. Fuel waiver cap Maximum waiver capped at ₹ 250 per billing cycle. BOGO movie booking limit Applicable only twice per month across both BookMyShow and INOX combined. POS security Enabled with EMV chip and PIN for added security during card swipes Note: The features listed above are illustrative. Please refer to the official ICICI Bank website or latest credit card terms and conditions for the most accurate and updated details. Hence, the ICICI Coral Credit Card is an efficient and well-rounded option for those seeking a blend of rewards, travel, cashbacks, and lifestyle benefits at an affordable price. The recent updates to lounge access criteria and robust reward structure make it a strong contender in the entry-level premium segment. For all personal finance updates, visit here Disclaimer: Mint has a tie-up with fintechs for providing credit; you will need to share your information if you apply. These tie-ups do not influence our editorial content. This article only intends to educate and spread awareness about credit needs like loans, credit cards and credit scores. Mint does not promote or encourage taking credit, as it comes with a set of risks such as high interest rates, hidden charges, etc. We advise investors to discuss with certified experts before taking any credit.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Demon Slayer Infinity Castle release date in India: When will the anime movie premiere?
Demon Slayer Infinity Castle release date in India: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba has captivated audiences worldwide with its stunning visuals and compelling story. As the anime approaches its climactic finale, anticipation is soaring for the Infinity Castle movie, which will adapt the concluding arc for cinema. In India, fans are particularly keen to find out the film's official theatrical release date. Demon Slayer Infinity Castle release date in India The movie will open in Japan on July 18. According to BookMyShow, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle is scheduled to release in India on September 12, 2025. The crew behind Demon Slayer Infinity Castle Haruo Sotozaki serves as the director of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, produced by the acclaimed anime studio Ufotable. Akira Matsushima takes on the roles of Chief Animation Director and Character Designer, while the music is composed by Yuki Kajiura and Go Shiina. Crunchyroll offers streaming for the TV anime series, the Mugen Train film, and the newest Hashira Training Arc in both subbed and dubbed versions. Demon Slayer Infinity Castle plot After his sister Nezuko was turned into a demon, Tanjiro Kamado joined the Demon Slayer Corps and grew stronger through countless battles alongside his friends Zenitsu and Inosuke. Throughout his journey, he fought side by side with the elite Hashira—including Rengoku, Uzui, Tokito, and Kanroji during critical missions. As the Corps starts the Hashira Training to brace for the decisive clash, Muzan Kibutsuji launches an attack on the Ubuyashiki Mansion. Tanjiro and the Hashira rush to the scene but are suddenly drawn into the demons' lair, the Infinity Castle, where the final showdown unfolds.
NDTV
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Bollywood To South, Do Block Bookings Mean Box Office Success For A Film? Experts Break Down The Ugly Truth
New Delhi: Acting calibre, backing from big banners, public relations skills -- these three qualities are essential to building a career in the film business, irrespective of language or region. But are they enough to maintain the image of a successful actor in the public eye in the post-pandemic era? It doesn't seem so. In 2025, as major Hindi films continue to flop at the box office and South Indian films dominate the box office and headlines, superstars across the country are allegedly using technology to create a *false* perception of success through block or bulk bookings. What Are Block Bookings? Trade analyst Komal Nahta acted as a whistleblower when he criticised the box office figures of Akshay Kumar's Sky Force in a public post earlier this year. Nahta alleged that the film had shown inflated opening week collections of Rs 40 crore (more on that later). Generally speaking, block or bulk bookings refer to when a corporate house books a large number of cinema tickets (often distributed among employees) to create the illusion that a film is running houseful shows -- while, in reality, the attendance is sparse. Contrary to popular belief, trade analyst Amod Mehra tells NDTV, "I would say stars are doing block bookings directly or indirectly. And they're the ones benefiting most from it." "The media has coined the term 'block bookings' to suggest there's manipulation in box office collections, and that it's the corporates behind it. But nobody really knows how it's actually done," Mehra adds. Komal Nahta tells NDTV, "Three or four major stars and production houses in Bollywood are doing it. They are bringing disrepute to the industry." Amod Mehra explains the process, "We presume block bookings are mainly done through [online ticketing platform] BookMyShow. Stars or corporates book large numbers of tickets and then cancel them. So, when you go to book tickets, the app shows a full theatre. But when you walk into the cinema, it's empty. The financial loss to the stars or corporate backers is negligible compared to the film's overall budget." Why Are Stars So Desperate To Create A False Image of Success? Komal Nahta tells NDTV, "When a star projects that his film is earning big numbers, he can significantly increase his endorsement fees. So, they're essentially deceiving advertisers, the public, and the industry to make more money." Amod Mehra adds, "A star is more interested in retaining his public image. He doesn't care whether his films are actually running houseful shows. They charge crores in remuneration. Even if the films flop, they still earn through endorsements. Inflated numbers help them negotiate higher endorsement deals." Just as the number of social media followers plays a crucial role in helping outsiders land a big-banner film, inflated box office numbers seem to help big stars create a perception, albeit a false one, of success in a highly competitive market. Komal Nahta's Allegations Against Sky Force In a detailed public post, Komal Nahta broke down the numbers of Akshay Kumar-starrer Sky Force, and alleged that the team had used block bookings to inflate its opening collection numbers. Nahta went as far as to claim that this was the biggest such case in Hindi cinema history. Sky Force hit the screens on January 24 this year. An excerpt from Nahta's post read: "The records will show total collections of Rs 80 crore, but that's because heavy block booking of unsold tickets was done each day in the first week to give the impression that the film was performing extraordinarily well at the box office. This may be the largest block booking ever done in Bollywood history." "Proof of this lies in the fact that houseful or near-houseful status on coincided with near-empty cinema halls -- because there was no public to fill the block-booked seats." Nahta added that while block bookings were initially done across multiple chains and cinemas nationwide, they were later restricted primarily to PVR Inox, since PVR Inox Pictures was the film's all-India distributor. Komal Nahta about skyforce block bookings. Surprising how most have been silent about this. by u/ailaa_gogo in BollyBlindsNGossip Speaking to NDTV, Nahta adds, "I know of an actor who told a producer that he would only work with him if he had a Rs 30-40 crore budget set aside just for block bookings -- like Dinesh Vijan does." Dinesh Vijan is a film producer and the founder of Maddock Films, whose Stree 2 was among the highest-grossing Hindi films of last year. Block Bookings In The Regional Market It's an open secret that producers and stars across regional industries often spend extra to boost box office numbers. After all, sometimes numbers speak louder than talent. Even in the Bengali film industry, where budgets are relatively modest and films are shot within 20 days, many leading producers have allegedly resorted to block bookings. One of the top stars in the industry is said to have been doing this for years. "From Rs 10-15 lakh to Rs 1 crore worth of block bookings have taken place in the Bengali film industry over the past few years. Even when the films don't work, hall owners are satisfied," Satadeep Saha, CEO of SSR Cinemas, tells NDTV. Block Bookings And The Future Of The Film Business The obsession with box office numbers arguably became mainstream after SS Rajamouli's Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (2017) grossed over Rs 1,000 crore. That film also triggered the rise of the South in the Hindi belt. But the film industry has changed dramatically since the pandemic, especially with the rise of OTT platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime. Shah Rukh Khan's Pathaan (2023), backed by Yash Raj Films, was the first major Hindi film to cross Rs 1,000 crore (Rs 1,050.50 crore) at the box office, followed by Jawan (Rs 1,148.32 crore) the same year. Trade analyst Amod Mehra doesn't mince words, "You can quote me -- this block booking trend started with Pathaan, Jawan, Brahmastra: Part One - Shiva." As the saying goes, the truth is often stranger than fiction -- and in the case of inflated film numbers, perhaps more complicated than the truth itself. But when it comes to big films, numbers are a good; albeit flawed; measure of success.
Hans India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Globally acclaimed DJ Francis Mercier to debut in India with 3-city tour
Renowned Haitian DJ and music producer Francis Mercier is all set to make his India debut this October with a three-city tour, bringing his celebrated Ibiza residency "Soley" to Indian audiences. Known for his soulful, cross-cultural house music and dynamic live performances, Mercier will perform in Mumbai on October 10, Delhi-NCR on October 11, and Kolkata on October 12, 2025. Marking a major milestone for Indian EDM fans, this tour will offer an immersive musical experience, blending African rhythms, Levantine sounds, and Caribbean vibes—hallmarks of the Soley concept. Meaning "sun" in Haitian Creole, Soley is more than just a party—it's a celebration of inclusion, cultural fusion, and rhythmic heritage, uniting global audiences through music. With over 100 million cumulative streams and appearances at iconic venues and festivals such as Coachella, EDC Vegas, and stages in Ibiza, Paris, London, New York, Marrakech, and more, Francis Mercier is at the forefront of a global house music movement. His unique sound and infectious energy have earned him a devoted following worldwide. Ticket pre-sales for the India tour begin on June 26, 2025, followed by general sales starting June 27 on BookMyShow. Karan Singh, CEO of Sunburn, said, 'Bringing Francis Mercier's Soley to India is a proud moment. His ability to blend global sounds into a unified, unforgettable dance floor experience makes this one of our most anticipated showcases yet.' With this debut, Francis Mercier is set to captivate Indian audiences and expand the reach of Soley, promising three nights of rhythm, unity, and unforgettable energy.
