Latest news with #Pro-Kannada
India Today
04-07-2025
- Business
- India Today
How Karnataka's iconic Mysore Sandal Soap overshot targets, clocked highest ever sales
(NOTE: This article was originally published in the India Today issue dated July 14, 2025)In mid-May, one of Karnataka's best-known cultural brands, Mysore Sandal Soap, found itself in a bit of lather. Pro-Kannada activists were upset that Karnataka Soaps & Detergents Ltd (KS&DL), the state-owned company that manufactures the iconic 109-year-old soap, had chosen actor Tamannaah Bhatia as its brand ambassador instead of a Kannadiga celebrity. But even as it hastened to defuse the row, KS&DL had much to thank the controversy for. The firm clocked its best-ever sales for the month of May at Rs 186 crore, a 24 per cent bump from the target of Rs 150 The soap maker has been on a winning streak in the past few years, with annual sales almost doubling since 2020-21 to Rs 1,780 crore in 2024-25; net profit grew almost four-fold from Rs 113 crore to Rs 415 crore in the same period. Ramping up production and online marketing played a big role in this, says its MD, Prashanth India accounts for over 80 per cent of the sales for KS&DL, with Andhra Pradesh the biggest market. Hence, the push into other regions, especially the north. It's also why 'pan-India star' Tamannaah was signed up. KS&DL has set itself a target of Rs 5,000 crore in annual turnover by 2028. It is investing Rs 250 crore in a new plant at Vijayapura in north Karnataka and also eyeing diversification into new products. 'We are taking it nationaland even international in the future,' says M.B. Patil, Karnataka's minister of large and medium industries. 'Then perhaps we'll need a Hollywood celebrity to endorse us,' he to India Today Magazine- EndsMust Watch
India Today
04-07-2025
- Business
- India Today
Soap opera
In mid-May, one of Karnataka's best-known cultural brands, Mysore Sandal Soap, found itself in a bit of lather. Pro-Kannada activists were upset that Karnataka Soaps & Detergents Ltd (KS&DL), the state-owned company that manufactures the iconic 109-year-old soap, had chosen actor Tamannaah Bhatia as its brand ambassador instead of a Kannadiga celebrity. But even as it hastened to defuse the row, KS&DL had much to thank the controversy for. The firm clocked its best-ever sales for the month of May at Rs 186 crore, a 24 per cent bump from the target of Rs 150 crore.
Time of India
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Belagavi DC forms a committee to monitor Kannada Bhavan
Pic: The Kannada Bhavan of Nehru Nagar in Belagavi Belagavi: Belagavi deputy commissioner Mohammad Roshan, formed a committee involving various departments to monitor the Kannada Bhavan building. Kannada activist Ashok Chandaragi wrote a letter to the DC in this regard, objecting to the use of the building by a private organisation, despite it being built with govt funds and used for commercial purposes. Kannada Bhavan of Nehru Nagar was constructed with a grant of Rs 3.2 crore from the Karnataka Border Area Development Authority and Rs 2.9 crore from the Kannada and culture department. In a meeting of the Karnataka Border Area Development Authority held in Bengaluru on May 6, member Ashok Chandaragi raised the issue of managing the Kannada Bhavan. He demanded that the authority form a committee of officers under the DC's leadership to manage the Kannada Bhavan built with govt funds. The amount collected from the commercial shops on the premises of the Kannada Bhavan is being used by a private organisation. "It is not the right step to open a commercial shop in a building built for the survival of the Kannada language and culture and the use of the public," he objected. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Kardioloog: Buikvet na je 50e? Stop dit in je schoenen Akusoli Undo "The amount collected from this building should be used for the works and programmes of the authority." It was decided in the meeting that since 2010-11, all Kannada Bhavans constructed with the authority's grant are being managed by committees of officers under the leadership of the respective DC. The Bhavan in Belagavi also should be managed in the same manner. In a meeting held on May 29 to discuss the problems of border areas, district minister Satish Jarkiholi recommended the formation of a committee under the leadership of the DC for the management of Kannada Bhavan. The committee, chaired by the deputy commissioner, includes the additional deputy commissioner and the secretary of the Karnataka Border Area Development Authority as permanent members, and the deputy commissioner (revenue) of the BCC as member-secretary. The committee members will examine the objections related to the Kannada Bhavan and the commercial shops on its premises. The member-secretary will collect the details of the rent and documents collected from the commercial shops and present them before the management committee. Pro-Kannada leader Ashok Chandaragi said that the income from commercial pots should be used for the maintenance of Kannada Bhavan. The fee for Kannada Bhavan programmes should be fixed at a minimum so that more Kannada cultural events are held here. Deputy commissioner Mohammad Roshan said that a committee has already been formed to manage Kannada Bhavan and a meeting will be held soon to take further action.
Hindustan Times
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
'We will not release': Karnataka distributor defies Supreme Court order on ‘Thug Life'
Despite a Supreme Court directive clearing the way for the release of Kamal Haasan's 'Thug Life' in Karnataka, the film's local distributor has firmly stated he has no intention of screening it in the state, The New Indian Express reported. Venkatesh Kamalakar, who had acquired the distribution rights for Karnataka under the banner of VR Films, confirmed that he is opting out of the release altogether. 'We are not planning to release, and we will not release. We had taken the distribution rights for Thug Life but couldn't proceed earlier due to the issues already known,' Venkatesh told the publication. With the film already into its third week since release, he dismissed the possibility of a delayed rollout. 'It's already been two weeks. The film is underperforming everywhere, collections are falling, and multiplexes are not enthusiastic. They're now offering only 30 per cent of what we originally expected,' he said. (Also Read: 'Thug Life' row: Pro-Kannada outfit chief says Kamal Haasan 'should have apologised') Insiders also pointed to financial disputes between the production team and distributor as another reason for the impasse. According to the report, the producers have not repaid a significant advance, reportedly amounting to several crores, to the distributor, and the matter remains unresolved. While Venkatesh refrained from discussing specifics of the business deal, he made it clear that the producers cannot release the film in Karnataka through another channel without settling matters first. 'If the production house wants to release the film directly, they can go through another distributor. But they can only take that call after the settlement is made,' he said. Asked whether another distributor could intervene and take over the release, he responded unequivocally, 'No. Without our confirmation, they cannot distribute it. We haven't received any intimation from the producers or multiplex chains about a Karnataka release. And to be honest, we're not interested anymore.' (Also Read: Bengaluru beats hill stations Lonavala, Srinagar with unusually cool temperatures)
Hindustan Times
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
‘A true gentleman': John Abraham wins hearts as he accepts bouquet from fan but gives it to airport staff instead
Actor John Abraham is winning hearts on social media with his sweet gesture towards a female airport staff member. The actor was spotted exiting the Mumbai airport on Thursday morning, when he gave a flower bouquet to the staff member, who seemed surprised to receive the unexpected gift from him. (Also read: 'We aren't opposing release of Kamal Haasan's Thug Life in Karnataka, we'll accept SC order': Pro-Kannada organisation) In the video shared by a paparazzo account on Instagram, John was seen walking towards the exit gate of the airport, surrounded by his other crew members. An eager male fan gifted John a bouquet of roses upon arrival, which he accepted with a smile. However, he went ahead and asked the fan's permission and then gifted the same bouquet to a female airport staff member. She looked surprised with the gift and thanked John. Check out the video here: A post shared by Instant Bollywood (@instantbollywood) Reacting to the sweet gesture, a fan commented, 'He asked him first ... He is a true gentleman.' Another fan said, 'Ye banda puri Bollywood industry se alag hain (This man is different from the entire industry).' A comment read, 'Aww, the fan was so happy.' 'He's a talented actor and an even better person!' said another fan. Fans saw John last in The Diplomat. Released in theatres with minimum promotion and buzz, the film put up a decent box office performance after it opened on March 14. The Diplomat is produced by John's JA Entertainment along with T-Series, Vipul D Shah, Ashwin Varde, Rajesh Bahl of Wakaoo Films, Sameer Dixit and Jatish Varma of Fortune Pictures and Rakesh Dang of Seeta Films. Set against the backdrop of India–Pakistan relations, the film explores themes of diplomacy and the personal conflicts faced by diplomats. It is directed by Shivam Nair. It is now available to watch on Netflix.
