Latest news with #Rahasya
The Hindu
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Salty Nerd launches six new vodka flavours
In a market that worships tradition and legacy, a new player has come along to stir the pot — literally. The latest formulate of Blisswater Industries, Salty Nerd Vodka, is now available in stores across the UAE, Goa, and Karnataka and will make its presence in Chhattisgarh and Odisha soon. From the house that created Yaksha, the blended whisky, and Rahasya — the cult Indian infused vodka — comes a lineup that is targeted at Gen Z and the young at heart. 'We didn't just create another brand; we created a vibe,' says Varna Bhat, founder of Blisswater Industries. 'With Salty Nerd, we are bringing the fun back into vodka. It is the spirit for the new generation.' Distilled from premium grains and charcoal filtered for that extra layer of purity at an ABV of 42.8%, this is not a vodka to be drowned in mixers, rather, chill the bottle, pour a glass, and have it neat. Available in a 750ml bottle that starts at ₹1,500, depending on the territory of purchase, it also comes in a cool 180ml hip flask. The six flavours launched in this series are: Classic – Clean, crisp, and smooth Liberal Lemon - Zesty infusion of sharp lemon and sweet, aromatic lime. Capitalistic Cola - Sweet with a pinch of spice, its flavour has hints of vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and caramel Woke Mint - Crisp and fresh with subtle Imperial Salted Caramel - Creamy salted caramel-laden mouthfeel spot-on for toffee and toasted sugar notes. Conservative Cherry - A combination of subtle florals, tart edges, and plummy dark-fruit undertones. Salty Nerd Vodka finds distribution in high-end African and UAE outlets and top-tier bars in Goa and Karnataka. The rollout in Chhattisgarh and Odisha begins this month, with the rollout in the rest of India spread over the following months.
CNA
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CNA
How 3 childhood friends created a Singapore perfume brand celebrating their Indian roots
When you think of a niche fragrance brand, you might picture it emerging from Paris or Milan – not Singapore. Rahasya, a new scent label inspired by modern Indian identity and memory, is rewriting that narrative. Founded by three childhood friends – Sai Pogaru who is Singaporean, Sachit Sood and Utkarsh Vijayvargiya who are both Indians – Rahasya is the first Singapore-based fragrance brand to earn a coveted spot at Amaris, home to some of the most respected names in niche perfumery, including Juliette Has A Gun and Nishane. This incredible feat came just five months after the brand's launch last November. 'When we spoke to other perfume brands, they said it was pretty unlikely to get our brand into Amaris, so don't even try because they only work with big brands,' said 32-year-old co-founder Sood. 'We thought, there's no harm in trying, so we did. It means a lot to us that Amaris was impressed with what we were doing and took a chance on us.' When we spoke to other perfume brands, they said it was pretty unlikely to get our brand into Amaris, so don't even try because they only work with big brands. TIES THAT BIND At its heart, Rahasya is a story of friendship. Sood and Vijayvargiya grew up in Jakarta, where their families – both originally from Delhi – were close. When Sood moved to Singapore for primary school, he met Pogaru, a classmate with roots in Visakhapatnam in South India. The three eventually became inseparable, connected by their third-culture upbringing. The idea for Rahasya sparked from a simple moment of curiosity. Thirty-two year old Pogaru, the most fragrance-obsessed among the trio, had called Sood after shopping at Amaris. 'He said he couldn't find something that tells our story – specifically something of Indian origin,' recalled Sood. That comment led to a deeper conversation. Despite India's centuries-old legacy in perfumery, there were few modern brands representing its culture through scent. What existed often leaned into cliche – all nostalgia, palaces, and colonial tropes. But the India they knew felt different: youthful, messy, and vibrant. 'We wanted to build a fragrance brand that captured the energy of modern India, while honouring its roots,' said Sood. Vijayvargiya, 33, quickly came onboard – another fragrance enthusiast, his college dorm room used to be an unofficial 'get ready' hub for his mates thanks to an extensive perfume collection. The trio found natural synergy in their shared interests, and the desire to tell a more contemporary Indian story through scent. And so Rahasya – the Sanskrit word for 'secret' or 'mystery" – was born. 'The name felt right because we wanted to uncover the hidden richness of Indian perfumery,' explained Pogaru. 'It was also appealing because the name has the same meaning in Bahasa Indonesia, which Karsh [Vijayvargiya] and Sachit [Sood] both speak.' STARTING FROM SCRATCH Leaving behind their corporate jobs – Pogaru and Vijayvargiya were in tech, Sood in consulting – the three pooled S$25,000 each to launch the brand and begin building their vision from scratch. 'The very next day, all of us literally Googled 'how to start a perfume brand',' Pogaru laughed. But they were serious about getting it right. The trio flew to India for a month-long deep dive into the fragrance landscape, researching local brands and trying to understand why no Indian fragrance house had broken through globally. Pogaru now leads marketing, Vijayvargiya handles design and branding, while Sood oversees business development and operations for Rahasya. They spent Sundays training their noses, smelling hundreds of perfumes to refine their instincts. 'We've probably smelled over a thousand by now,' said Pogaru. It paid off. When they sent their first creative briefs to European perfumer DSM-Firmenich, the feedback was instant: 'They told us it was the best brief they'd ever received,' shared Sood. 'They could see exactly what we wanted to evoke.' CRAFTING CULTURAL NARRATIVES What sets Rahasya apart isn't just the use of distinctly Indian notes like cardamom, saffron, marigold, black tea, and oud – it's how these notes are layered with memory, place, and emotion. Rahasya's debut collection features four genderless fragrances, each inspired by a distinct moment in the founders' lives: View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Elephant Room Singapore (@elephantroomsg) Chapter One channels Sood's childhood visits to old Indian bookstores – a warm, nostalgic blend of paper, ink, and tobacco that was 'hardest to get right' due to its complexity. Cutting Rain captures Vijayvargiya's memory of sipping tea on his grandparents' veranda after a monsoon shower: fresh, floral, and grounded with a black tea note. Oud Mangifera, Pogaru's creation, captures the sultry heat of an Indian summer with a heady, smoky take on mangoes. The scent also nods to the fruit's origin: the Alphonso mango, native to India, is known botanically as Mangifera indica. Love Marriage is a collective tribute to big Indian weddings. The founders agree this sweet, boozy scent with rose, marigold, saffron and rum notes is their 'most polarising' creation. 'It's not for everyone, but when people love it, they really love it,' noted Vijayvargiya. True to its name, each 50ml Rahasya bottle hides a secret: A discreet 2ml vial tucked into the packaging. Known only as Mystery X (with X as a running number), these unreleased scents come with no name, notes, or description – just a completely unexpected olfactory experience. That said, some secrets are too good to stay hidden – two Mystery scents will soon be unveiled as part of Rahasya's next collection, set to launch this July. SCENT-FIRST, STORY-DRIVEN APPROACH Eschewing mass sampling and influencer blitzes, Rahasya leans into sensory-first marketing. In May, they organised a month-long cocktail trail hosted across three Singapore bars. At each venue, guests were invited to smell three ceramic vessels featuring different Rahasya fragrances and pick a cocktail based purely on scent, without tasting notes or descriptions. That same offbeat, immersive ethos carries into Rahasya's product design and campaign visuals. The bottles themselves are sculptural – glossy, black, and capped with pebble-like asymmetrical toppers – while the labels feature bold, distorted typography. The campaigns are equally striking, with a tongue-in-cheek aesthetic. One features a woman in a lavish sari and oversized sunnies posing at a wet market, balancing a Rahasya bottle on a silver thali, while another shows perfume flowing from a hot pink water cooler surrounded by flowers. Surreal and self-aware, the imagery reclaims Indian-ness on its own terms – neither romanticised nor exoticised. Since launching in late 2024, Rahasya has sold over 650 bottles, with around 60 percent of sales from Indian customers. Their 50ml bottles retail at S$168 and are currently available via their website and Amaris, with two more upcoming retail locations – The Scent Parlor, a fragrance boutique at Boat Quay, and Design Orchard. There are also plans to launch in the US and UK soon. While the team dreams of eventually opening a dedicated boutique – "in order to control the full experience,' Sood explained – they're holding out until their product line expands. 'Maybe in 2027,' he teased. THE REAL REWARD 'The happiest moment for me? When someone told me our fragrance brings them joy. That's crazy. This brand didn't even exist a year ago, and now there are people in the US, UK, and Australia wearing something we made. We haven't had a lot of time to reflect on our wins, but this is something that I think about from time to time, and it's what keeps me going,' said Vijayvargiya. The others agree. 'We got so excited the first time we spotted someone carrying our tote on the street,' added Pogaru. 'Fragrances are invisible, but that moment made it feel real.' 'My wife says I'm just happier all the time now,' shared Sood, who confessed to feeling burned out at his previous consultancy job. 'I was working very, very long hours. Even though I still work long hours now and I'm tired sometimes, it's like the happy kind of tired.' They joke about seeing too much of each other – even on public holidays – but there's an ease to their dynamic that's impossible to fake. Some of their best meetings have happened over drinks. 'Three's a good number,' they laughed. 'There's always a tiebreaker.'
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Working alongside Tom Alter was a profound learning experience, says Kunal Sharma
Kunal Sharma with J Brandon Hill and the late Tom Alter Actor Kunal Sharma , known for his work in Saas Bahu Aur Flamingo, Rahasya, Ugram, and Kanguva, was recently seen in the MMA-based sports drama Maqam, where he shared screen space with the late Tom Alter . The veteran actor, who passed away in 2017 after battling skin cancer, played a pivotal role as the coach of the protagonist. Honouring his legacy, the makers thoughtfully reworked the narrative to preserve the essence of his character. Kunal shares, 'Tom Alter's passing was a huge emotional and creative setback for the team. Since his role was central to the storyline, the shoot had to be paused. Then the pandemic caused further delays. But the makers approached the situation with great care and respect, revisiting the script in a way that allowed us to move forward while still honouring his presence in the film.' Talking about the experience of working with Tom, Kunal said, 'Working alongside him was a profound learning experience. His gaze conveyed depth, emotion, and authenticity, teaching me the power of subtlety in acting.' He added, 'On set, Tom created an atmosphere of warmth and camaraderie. His humility, discipline, and passion for the craft were evident in every interaction. He treated every role with the same dedication, whether it was a grand character or a subtle one.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No Distractions. Just Solitaire Play Solitaire Download Undo Remembering their first meeting on the Kolkata set, he revealed that they had enriching discussions on acting and also shared a compliment that Tom gave him. He said, 'Tom emphasised that 'an actor's eyes are the window to their soul'. Immediately after that, he said, 'Barkhurdar, you have very deep eyes'. That compliment filled me with immense joy.' Kunal also mentioned that Tom was very happy with the name of the film, Maqam, as he had a profound appreciation for Hindi and Urdu literature. He confessed that Tom's demise had a great impact on the cast and crew of the movie and added, 'Memories of working with him will stay with me for a lifetime. His legacy continues to inspire, reminding us that true artistry lies in the subtleties — the unspoken moments that speak volumes. '
News18
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Manish Gupta Denies Stabbing Allegation, Claims Driver Filed False FIR To 'Extort Money'
Last Updated: Director Manish Gupta denies stabbing his driver, claims FIR is fake and part of an extortion plot. Cites CCTV footage and payment records in his defense. Filmmaker and screenwriter Manish Gupta, known for penning the critically acclaimed Sarkar and directing thrillers like Rahasya and Hostel, has issued a detailed statement refuting recent allegations of physical assault made by his former driver, Rajibul Islam Lashkar. The controversy erupted after an FIR was filed at Mumbai's Versova police station, alleging that Gupta stabbed the driver with a kitchen knife over a payment dispute. Calling the accusations 'completely false and fabricated," Gupta pointed to CCTV footage as his key piece of evidence. 'As you can clearly see in the CCTV footage screenshot, the complainant is holding his right hand over his stomach. But just zoom in — there is no blood. If he was really stabbed, where is the blood?" the filmmaker questioned. He further added that the video shows the driver walking 'casually and in a carefree manner," inconsistent with the behavior of someone allegedly wounded by a knife. Gupta also responded to claims made in the FIR that he had not paid the driver's salary on time for the past three years. 'That's an absolute lie," he said. 'My bank statements clearly show that I paid him every month on time — in fact, I often paid him in advance. The very first sentence of his statement is a blatant falsehood, which shows malicious intent." Going a step further, Gupta accused the complainant of orchestrating a staged incident under the guidance of third parties, with the intent to blackmail. 'He inflicted injuries upon himself just to file a false FIR. He's been coached by people who treat fake cases as a business model for extortion," Gupta claimed. In a dramatic turn, the director also alleged that Rajibul has a prior criminal history, citing past financial fraud involving a bank. He didn't stop there — Gupta named the driver's lawyer as someone with multiple criminal cases, including one for rape. 'This lawyer has even been arrested twice," he added, emphasizing the dubious background of the people involved in the case. Gupta stated that he has submitted all of his evidence, including his bank records and CCTV stills, in a signed letter to the police. As of now, there has been no official update from law enforcement on the investigation. Meanwhile, the filmmaker stands firm, maintaining that the entire episode is a 'malicious attempt to extort money" and damage his reputation. First Published: June 09, 2025, 21:01 IST
Time of India
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Exclusive: Driver's injury is self-inflicted. This is a false FIR, filed to extort money, says Manish Gupta
An FIR was filed at the Versova police station on June 6 against filmmaker-writer . He is known for writing films like Sarkar and SECTION 375, while directing Rahasya, The Stoneman Murders, 420 IPC and One Friday Night. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Gupta was booked under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections for allegedly stabbing his driver Mohammed Lashkar with a kitchen knife. According to Versova police, the incident occurred after an argument over the latter's salary at Gupta's Andheri (west) office at 8.30pm on June 5. According to a report in TOI, Lashkar, who served as Gupta's driver for three years until his May 30 termination, said his Rs 23,000 salary remained outstanding. His statement reads: "There has been instances when the film director used to indulge in fight whenever I asked for my salary which was never paid on time. This time he removed me from the job when I asked for my April month's salary which was yet to be paid." Gupta has categorically dismissed the allegations. In an exclusive interview with Bombay Times, he said, 'It's a false FIR, filed with an intent of extorting money, systematically played out under the guidance of a criminal lawyer.' He added, 'We are going to initiate criminal proceedings against Lashkar and put him behind bars. I want to expose these false FIRs racket.' Ahead of narrating the incident, Gupta shared a CCTV footage of the driver leaving the building premises (his back facing the camera) with Bombay Times and documents that reveal his advance salary claim to Lashkar as well as the driver's speeding tickets for rash driving. Gupta explained, 'He has been working for me for three years. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now On June 5, around 8.30 pm in my office, he started this bawaal to provoke me. It was very illogical. He wanted to quit my job. I had paid him an advance (Rs 41,500), which was much more than his monthly salary. This has been acknowledged by him on paper. I told him, if you're quitting, obviously the advance is going to be deducted from your salary. That didn't go down well with him, and this was his way of extorting money from me. I asked him to drop my car keys and leave. He left in a lift and while exiting the lift, held his hand over his stomach as if he was covering a wound, no blood stain is visible in the CCTV footage. The other footage which captures him walking away, shows how normal he seems while walking away. I am sure he went to his people, inflicted a harmless injury to himself and then went to the cops at 2 am. Why didn't he go to the cops directly? He tried to create this chain of events. When the cops came over to my office the next day to investigate, they also called him, he's walking, holding his stomach, taking the support of some other guy, and he's walking half a step at a time. His actions looked staged. The cops didn't find any kitchen knife because I don't have a kitchen in my office. You just get tea, coffee, biscuits. He needed the money badly for his house and daughter's education and on humanitarian grounds, I gave him the advance, and this is how he repays me.' Gupta concludes, 'I have given my statement to the police. The evidence that I showed you, has also been given to the police. In a nutshell, this is a false FIR, filed with an intention of extorting money. It has been systematically played out under guidance of a criminal lawyer. My lawyer is , and we are going to initiate criminal proceedings against this person. The CCTV footage of seconds after the incident clearly shows he is walking very normally, very casually and not at all like a person who has been attacked with a knife as he is claiming. It is very clear evidence of his lying, and he has inflicted this injury later on himself in order to build some sort of circumstance to file a false FIR. I want to expose this false FIRs racket. '
