LuLu Group Opens Its First 1 lakh sq. ft Hypermarket & A Daily Store On The Same Day In Chennai

UAE-based Lulu Group has made its debut in Tamil Nadu’s capital, Chennai, with its first hypermarket in the city. The LuLu Hypermarket, which is located inside the Shenoy Nagar Metro Station on Chennai Metro’s Green Line, was opened to the public on Monday, October 12. LuLu Daily, a smaller store, also opened at Chennai Central Metro Station on the same day.
Lulu Group opens two stores in Chennai

Both the stores were inaugurated by Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Speaker JCD Prabhakar, along with Minister Venkat Ramanan. According to Lulu Group, the hypermarket in Shenoy Nagar, which spans about 1 lakh sq. ft is also India’s first and largest hypermarket within a metro station. It features a supermarket and department store housing LuLu Fashion Store and LuLu Connect.

Both the stores were inaugurated by Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Speaker JCD Prabhakar, along with Minister Venkat Ramanan. According to Lulu Group, the hypermarket in Shenoy Nagar, which spans about 1 lakh sq. ft is also India’s first and largest hypermarket within a metro station. It features a supermarket and department store housing LuLu Fashion Store and LuLu Connect.

This Navratri, ICICI Life Insurance Announces To Recruit 20,000 Women Advisors Across India By End Of FY-2027

* 45% of Company’s agency business contributed by women advisors

* 78000+ women advisors as on September 30, 2026

* 500 women advisors qualified for MDRT as on September 30, 2026

On the occasion of Navratri, ICICI Life Insurance announced its plans to recruit 20,000 women advisors across India, under the Company’s Narishakti initiative by end of FY-2027. Notably, 45% of the Company’s agency business comes from its 78,000+ women advisors as on September 30, 2026. This announcement commensurate with the 2nd anniversary of the Company’s ‘Narishakti’ initiative.

Mr. Amish Banker, Chief Distribution Officer, ICICI Life Insurance Limited, said, “We, at ICICI Life Insurance, firmly believe that ‘Talent has no gender’. While we continue to witness improvement in the performance of our male insurance advisors, we have seen that our women advisors have left no stone unturned to understand our customers’ pulse.

Importantly, women advisors constitute around 32% of our total number of advisors and they have contributed around 45% of our agency business as on September 30, 2026. Besides, in regions like Bangalore, Kerala and Mumbai, we have even seen this number crossing the 50% agency business mark.

Furthermore, our women advisors come from different walk of lives. They are homemakers, salaried professionals, businesswomen with an inherent power to multitask like a manager, solve problems like a consultant and manage money like a banker.

With a natural aptitude for empathy and strategic problem-solving, Indian women have certain intrinsic qualities that are inbuilt in their DNA which helps them to understand our customer’s requirement, provide optimal solutions and nurturing relationships long after the sale. These qualities include their strong emotional quotient, socially active nature, commitment, loyalty and their belief in securing families which are very important in the insurance business.

Hence, we launched the ‘Narishakti’ initiative two years back which helps us to empower women advisors across the country by providing the critical training and support necessary to spotlight their capabilities. Navratri is the perfect occasion to welcome more women advisors into our Narishakti force, equipping them with the skillsets needed to actively drive our government’s vision of Insurance for All by 2047.”

As on September 30, 2026, 47% of the Company’s women advisors are associated with ICICI Life Insurance for more than 10 years and over 500 women advisors of the Company have qualified for the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), a global, independent trade association for top-performing life insurance agents and financial services professionals.

Launched in 2024, ICICI Life Insurance’s Narishakti initiative empowers women across India to build a meaningful career as respected financial planners with zero upfront investment. It offers them, the flexibility to work on their own schedule without sacrificing their family time, while allowing them to gain recognition, become financial independent and proudly serve a noble cause by securing families nationwide.

About ICICI Life Insurance Limited:

ICICI Life Insurance Limited (Formerly ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company Limited) commenced operations in FY2001 and has since established itself as one of India’s leading life insurers, consistently ranking high on both sum assured market share and new business premium market share. Over the years, it has earned the unwavering trust of millions of customers, becoming an integral part of India’s financial ecosystem.

Customer centricity has remained the foundation of its philosophy, with products, processes and distribution strategies all aligned to a single objective: delivering a strong and differentiated value proposition for customers. The Company offers a comprehensive suite of Protection, Savings & Retirement solutions designed to meet the evolving life stage needs. These offerings enable customers to safeguard their families’ financial security while also achieving long term financial goals.

As on March 31, 2026, the Company protects 73.73 million lives (in-force) across India covering both individual and corporate segments, making it one of the leading insurance companies in the country. Over the years, the Company has delivered on its promise of financial protection by settling ₹ 279 billion in death claims and paying ₹ 3.72 trillion in overall benefits as of March 31, 2026. In FY2026 alone, it settled ₹ 51.49 billion in death claims and disbursed ₹ 153.63 billion in maturity and survival benefits. Its claim settlement ratio of 99.3 percent and average turnaround time of 1 day underscore its commitment to swift, reliable service.

The Company is also the first among Indian Insurance industry to get listed on both the NSE and BSE. Its continued investments in data analytics and digitisation across the policy lifecycle have enabled superior efficiency, innovation and seamless experiences for customers and distributors alike. 

Nestlé India Delivers Strong Volume-Led Growth Across Product Groups

* The Board of Directors of Nestlé India today approved the results for the second quarter of financial year 2026-2027.

Commenting on the results, Mr. Manish Tiwary, Chairman and Managing Director, Nestlé India, said: “I am pleased to share that the quarter saw a continuation of strong and broad-based growth across all product groups, with total sales reaching INR 6,782.2 crore, with a growth of 20.5%, that was driven by robust, double-digit volume growth. We continued to focus on efficiencies across our operations while significantly increasing investments behind our brands, with advertising and marketing spends up by 46%. EBITDA margin remained healthy at 23.8%. Profit After Tax for the quarter stood at INR 1,026.8 crore, up 36.3% over the corresponding quarter.

Rising inflation, particularly food inflation, is a reality. We remain focused on navigating these external challenges through continuous innovation and renovation, sustained investments behind our brands, and an intensified focus on productivity and operational efficiencies to mitigate commodity cost pressures. I would like to thank our teams for their extraordinary commitment, resilience, and unwavering focus on execution in this challenging environment.

At Nestlé India, food safety and quality are the foundation of consumer trust. I am proud of the unflinching commitment of our colleagues across our manufacturing units and would like to congratulate them for receiving the CII Food Safety & Quality Awards for our Sanand and Ponda factories and the Nestlé Global Quality Award for the Samalkha factory. These recognitions reaffirm our commitment to delivering safe, high-quality products to millions of consumers every day.

Confectionery product group recorded another strong quarter of volume led double-digit growth, driven by continued market share gains in KITKAT® and sustained momentum across MUNCH® and MILKYBAR®.

Powdered and Liquid Beverages product group delivered another quarter of strong, volume-led growth. This performance was driven by sustained household reach, enhanced affordability and continued premiumization across the coffee portfolio. Our continued investments behind the NESCAFÉ® brand, coupled with a dual focus on expanding category penetration and accelerating premiumization, continue to strengthen category relevance and reinforce our long-term growth ambitions.

NESPRESSO® continued its strong growth momentum in e-commerce and retail channels fuelled by continuing premiumization and building seasonal relevance in summer through iced coffee.

Prepared Dishes and Cooking Aids product group delivered strong growth. MAGGI® noodles continued to expand through rural penetration, while MAGGI® Masala-ae-Magic continued to focus on driving household penetration by unlocking regional top dish usage across the country.

Milk Products and Nutrition product group saw strong, broad-based growth with investments in brand building and portfolio optimisation.

Pet Food business delivered strong double-digit growth, supported by sharper consumer engagement on digital platforms and focused route to market. We continued to strengthen our presence in the cat food segment through science-based nutritional solutions across mainstream and premium offerings, through FELIX® Gravy Lover, PRO PLAN® Cat and FRISKIES® wet cat. Leveraging Nestlé’s research and innovation capabilities, we remain focused on delivering advanced nutrition tailored to the evolving needs of pets.

Nestlé Professional continued its strong momentum, delivering robust, double-digit, volume-led growth through premium offerings, customer-centric solutions and innovative applications catering to evolving needs of customers in the out-of-home space.

E-commerce also continued its strong trajectory, driven by sustained shopper engagement, portfolio breadth, and focused channel-specific execution. General Trade delivered robust, double-digit growth across town classes, led by strong momentum in rural markets. Continued expansion of rural distribution touchpoints enhanced our direct reach and strengthened market coverage.

Digitalization continues to strengthen execution across our business. Building on the success of NestMitra for retailers, we are now putting data-enabled digital tools directly into the hands of our sales teams, enabling faster decisions and sharper market execution. Our sales officer app equips hundreds of sales officers with near real-time market insights, helping them identify opportunities and improve engagement.

During a recent visit to Bathri, a village adopted under our Village Development Programme near our Tahliwal factory in Himachal Pradesh, I spent time with the Gram Pradhan. As we walked through the village, he shared stories of children staying in school, families paying greater attention to nutrition and hygiene, and farmers looking to the future with renewed confidence. This was a reminder that the true measure of impact lies in helping communities believe that a brighter future is within reach.

I would like to thank our Board, shareholders, employees, retailers, distributors, and partners for their continued confidence and our consumers for the trust they place in our brands.”

Financial Highlights: Quarter 2, 2026-2027

Total Sales of INR 6,782.2 crore

Total Sales Growth at 20.5%, Domestic Sales Growth at 20.4%

EBITDA margin of 23.8%

Profit After Tax stood at INR 1,026.8 crore, up 36.3% over the corresponding quarter

Earnings Per Share of INR 5.32

Business Comments – Quarter 2, 2026-27:

E-commerce: Delivered strong growth, led by continued momentum in Quick Commerce. Growth was supported by improved product availability, a sharper channel-specific assortment and pack architecture, enhanced digital shelf execution, and targeted shopper engagement initiatives across platforms.

Organized Trade: Delivered strong growth across key categories, supported by improved in-store execution, effective consumer activations, enhanced shelf visibility, and continued expansion of the store network.

Out-of-Home (OOH): Growth, supported by customer retention & acquisition, innovation, and premiumization across categories. The beverage portfolio was strengthened through the expansion of NESCAFÉ® Duo Gusto (Industry first hot and cold machine) and an enhanced range of cold beverage solutions like Nestlé SHIKANJI. In the food space, recipe-led innovations drove the expansion of MAGGI® Coconut Milk Powder in coastal cuisines and increased the adoption of MILKMAID® in café and bakery applications.

Exports: Maintained strong double-digit growth momentum, driven by portfolio expansion and continued market development. During the quarter, MAGGI® Masala-e-Magic was launched in Canada, while NESCAFÉ® Sunrise expanded its footprint across five West African markets. The addition of a new instant coffee variant in the Middle East.

Product Groups Performance (Domestic) – Quarter 2, 2026-27:

Prepared Dishes and Cooking Aids: MAGGI® continued to focus on building brand love and providing a wider range of variety to consumers with MAGGI® Double Masala, Spicy range and scaling-up of the new MAGGI® veg atta with taste of MAGGI® masala.

Milk Products and Nutrition: Nutrition category continued to deliver sequentially strengthening performance. Toddlers-specific products delivered strong growth with market share gains.

Confectionery: The premium portfolio was further strengthened with the launch of KITKAT® Delights Choco Lava, while the MUNCH® Onam Pack helped drive festive consumption and consumer engagement. Global Formula 1 partnership was leveraged to launch the F1 Tin Gift Pack, featuring Formula 1 car-shaped chocolates exclusively on e-commerce platforms. The pack received a strong consumer response and performed well during the quarter.

Powdered and Liquid Beverages: Growth remained broad-based and volume-led across the portfolio. NESCAFÉ® CLASSIC continued to drive household recruitment, supported by a renewed communication campaign that strengthened consumer engagement and category relevance. The relaunch of NESCAFÉ® SUNRISE with an improved consumer-preferred recipe and enhanced aroma further strengthened our proposition in the chicory-coffee segment. The premium portfolio, led by NESCAFÉ® GOLD, sustained strong double-digit growth. NESCAFÉ® Ready-to-Drink continued to scale rapidly, reinforcing cold coffee as a key future growth platform for the category.

Commodity Outlook:

Coffee and wheat are expected to remain range-bound, while sugar and edible oils have stabilized at elevated levels. Cocoa remains volatile due to weather-driven crop concerns in key origins. Milk prices have strengthened seasonally but should ease as flush supplies arrive.

LG Electronics Announces New Smart Home Accessories, Designed In Collaboration With Apple For The Apple Home Collection

* The New Products Advance LG’s Zero Labor Home Vision Across Indoor and Outdoor Living Spaces

LG Electronics (LG) today announced a range of smart home accessories co-developed with Apple for the Apple Home Collection, including indoor and outdoor cameras, and a video doorbell, smart lock, smart thermostat, and temperature sensor. The new products are designed to make the everyday home experience simpler, more reliable, and seamlessly connected and private in Apple Home.

These smart home accessories advance the company’s ambition to simplify everyday living by reducing the need for manual intervention and enabling more intuitive interactions between customers and their environments.

“Creating a truly connected home requires products that work seamlessly together,” said Kihyun Jung, head of the Platform Business Center at the LG Home Appliance Solution Company. “By bringing LG's expertise in home appliances and the home environment together with the Apple Home, we are creating intuitive, integrated experiences that fit naturally into customers' daily lives.”

“Apple has always focused on making products and experiences that are seamless and intuitive and protect our users’ privacy — and that matters more than ever in the home,” said Matthew Costello, Apple's vice president of Hardware Engineering. “Combining our hardware and software expertise with LG's deep understanding of the home and connected living lets us build smart home experiences that are simpler to set up, are easier to control, and work effortlessly.”

Moving Beyond Connectivity to Co-Develop Products and User Experiences

Moving beyond just device compatibility, Apple and LG developed these new products together from the early product planning stage, collaborating on hardware, software, and user experiences.

Each product is designed with a consistent user experience in mind to streamline setup and control. Using the Home app or Siri to control a single “Good Morning” scene can simultaneously adjust the thermostat and tilt an indoor camera down while a user is getting ready.

Introducing New Indoor and Outdoor Cameras, a Video Doorbell, Smart Lock, Thermostat, and Temperature Sensor

Starting in December, with select accessories coming early next year, LG and Apple are launching the full lineup in the United States and Canada with support for Apple Home and LG ThinQ apps.1 In the United Kingdom, indoor and outdoor cameras and a video doorbell will be available starting December.2

* Cameras

With up to 2.5K video resolution, low-light color night vision, and wide-angle coverage, the cameras provide clear views during the day and at night. Using intelligence, each camera recognizes people, pets, vehicles and motion, helping deliver more relevant alerts and reducing unnecessary notifications. Users can also block selected areas from view and recording, while built-in local storage provides greater control over how recorded footage is stored and reviewed.

* LG Indoor Cam Plug-In: A wide 160° field of view captures more of the room in a single frame, while a privacy tilt mechanism and physical controls provide a visible and intuitive way to control monitoring when it is not needed.

* LG Outdoor Cam Plug-In: The camera provides reliable outdoor monitoring.

* LG Floodlight Cam: The camera adds dual adaptive floodlights that automatically illuminate the surrounding area when activity is detected.

* LG Video Doorbell Wired

LG Video Doorbell Wired brings clear visibility, more relevant alerts and everyday convenience to the front door. Its dual-camera system combines a 2.5K front camera and a Full HD bottom camera, capturing separate views of visitors, packages and key areas around the entryway. It can also identify people, vehicles, pets and packages and play a helpful chime through Apple HomeView, HomePod or HomePod mini. Low-light color night vision and two-way talk also help users see and respond to activity at their door.

* LG Smart Deadbolt Lock

LG Smart Deadbolt Lock combines hands-free unlocking with home key on a compatible iPhone or Apple Watch and advanced Ultra-Wideband technology. The lock recognizes an authorized user’s location and movement to support reliable hands-free entry. NFC tap, PIN code and a physical key provide additional ways to unlock the door, while built-in door sensing and real-time app notifications help users monitor door status and security events.

* LG Smart Thermostat and LG Temperature Sensor

Adaptive Temperature from Apple can adjust heating and cooling based on headed home, away from home, or sleeping.

When paired with optional LG Temperature Sensor devices placed in other rooms, the system can monitor temperature and humidity to support more consistent comfort throughout the home. Matter over Thread enables low-power, responsive connectivity with fewer connection delays and offline disruptions.

* Privacy in Apple Home

Privacy is foundational to Apple Home. Camera footage and personal data in the Home app is stored end-to-end encrypted and never accessible to LG or Apple.

To learn more about LG and Apple’ s smart home accessories, visit LG website. 

Switzerland Tourism Welcomes Jemimah Rodrigues As New Friendship Ambassador For India

Photo Caption: Picture 1. (left to right): Christian Schoch, Director India, Switzerland Tourism; Anaha Thakur, Marketing Manager, Switzerland Tourism; Jemimah Rodrigues, Switzerland’s Friendship Ambassador for India; and Martin Nydegger, CEO, Switzerland Tourism.

* The Indian cricketer brings a fresh, youthful perspective to Switzerland Tourism’s engagement with a new generation of Indian travellers

Switzerland Tourism has announced Indian cricketer Jemimah Rodrigues as its new Friendship Ambassador for India. The association marks a fresh chapter in Switzerland Tourism’s long-standing relationship with Indian travellers. The announcement was made in Bangalore in the presence of Martin Nydegger, CEO, Switzerland Tourism, along with members of the media and travel industry.

Switzerland has long been high on the Indian traveller’s bucket list, with generations discovering the destination through cinema, honeymoons, family holidays and memorable journeys. As Indian travellers evolve, so do the experiences they seek, with a growing appetite for travel that is more personal, active and immersive.

For this next chapter, Switzerland Tourism has chosen a voice that already resonates strongly with young India. Jemimah Rodrigues represents a generation that is global in outlook yet deeply rooted in its Indian identity. As Friendship Ambassador, she will bring that perspective to Switzerland, experiencing the destination in her own way and introducing Indian audiences to a side of the country that goes beyond the familiar.

Speaking about the association, Martin Nydegger, CEO, Switzerland Tourism, said, “India and Switzerland have shared a special relationship for many years, and that relationship continues to evolve with every generation of travellers. Long-haul markets such as India have an important role to play in strengthening year-round tourism in Switzerland, especially in our mountain regions. Today’s Indian traveller is curious, confident and increasingly looking for experiences that feel personal and authentic. Jemimah brings that spirit naturally. Her energy, warmth and ability to connect with people make her a wonderful fit for this association, and we are delighted to welcome her as our Friendship Ambassador for India.”

For Jemimah, the association is also an opportunity to experience Switzerland from a fresh perspective. She said, “Representing India has always been something very special to me, and wherever I travel, I carry a little bit of home with me. What excites me about this association is the chance to discover Switzerland beyond everything we already know and love about it. I’m looking forward to meeting people, trying new things, exploring different places, and sharing those moments with everyone back home. I’m really excited to begin this journey with Switzerland Tourism”

India today ranks among Switzerland Tourism’s top 10 source markets, making it an important market for the destination. The association with Jemimah will also bring Switzerland Tourism’s Travel Better philosophy to life for Indian audiences. Over the course of the association, Jemimah will experience Switzerland across all four seasons, discovering its well-known highlights alongside hidden gems and exploring different regions, experiences and ways of travelling through the country.

Adding to this, Christian Schoch, Director India, Switzerland Tourism, said, “India is one of our top 10 source markets, and we are seeing Indian travellers increasingly look for new ways to experience Switzerland. With Jemimah, we have an opportunity to showcase the diversity of the destination across the year, from different seasons and regions to experiences that go beyond the traditional highlights. This also ties closely into our Travel Better philosophy: encouraging travellers to stay longer, explore further and discover both the iconic and the lesser-known sides of Switzerland. Jemimah’s natural curiosity and sense of adventure make her a great fit to tell that story to India.”

The announcement was accompanied by the launch of a campaign trailer, offering the first glimpse into Jemimah’s journey through Switzerland. The campaign follows her across Interlaken and Zurich, with the Swiss public transport forming an integral part of the experience as she moves between destinations.

In Interlaken, Jemimah embraced her adventurous side with an exhilarating jetboat ride, tried her hand at Swiss chocolate-making and explored Ballenberg, Switzerland’s open-air museum, discovering the country’s cultural heritage along the way. Her journey then took her to Jungfraujoch, where she experienced snow for the first time against one of Switzerland’s most spectacular alpine backdrops.

The journey continued in Zurich, where Jemimah discovered a vibrant and contemporary side of Switzerland. From running through the city and exploring it on an e-bike to heading out onto the water in an e-boat and enjoying a relaxed picnic, she experienced a city where urban life and nature come together effortlessly.

Travelling aboard the Swiss public transport tied the journey together, highlighting the ease with which travellers can move between Switzerland’s cities, mountains and regions. Whether travelling independently, exploring solo or sharing the journey with a sibling, as Jemimah did, Switzerland offers the connectivity and flexibility to discover the country at one’s own pace.

The trailer is the first glimpse into a larger journey that will unfold over the course of the association. Across spring, summer, autumn and winter, Jemimah will continue to discover different facets of Switzerland, balancing iconic experiences with hidden gems and showing how the destination changes with every season. The association reflects Switzerland Tourism’s continued commitment to inspiring the new-age Indian traveller to explore more of the country, travel across seasons and discover their own Switzerland along the way.

With Jemimah Rodrigues, Switzerland Tourism opens a fresh chapter in its relationship with Indian travellers.

Switzerland Tourism (ST)

ST is a federal corporation under public law tasked with promoting domestic and international demand for Switzerland as a holiday, travel, and congress destination. The development and implementation of marketing programmes to generate demand and profile Switzerland's strong, classic-modern tourism brand, both nationally and internationally, make up its core activities. ST works in close collaboration with the Swiss tourism industry, which contributes about half of its budget. The other half comes from federal funds. The organisation works in a customer- and market-oriented manner and is managed according to business management criteria. Worldwide, ST is present in 23 markets with around 280 employees (255 FTEs) spread over 36 offices.

FREEZE OUT: Fastrack Oceanyx Turns Hyperfixations Into Frozen Worlds

* The new Oceanyx Polar Edition brings Fastrack's "Never Same, Never Sane" spirit to life through a surreal frozen-ocean universe where time stands still and hyperfixations take over.

What are you into right now? A playlist on repeat, a new matcha obsession, a game you can’t put down, a city you want to disappear into? For a generation that can have multiple passions, personalities and rabbit holes at once, being into one thing has never meant being just one thing. Fastrack’s “Never Same, Never Sane” has always been about this very multiplicity; and with the new Oceanyx Polar Edition, the brand takes its multiverse of hyperfixations into a world where time stands still.

For Gen Z, hyperfixations aren't just interests; they're worlds of their own. A song can become a personality. A style can become a mood. A game, a fandom, a creator or a destination can become an escape. Freeze Out imagines what those moments would look like if they became a place.

Set against a dreamlike universe of frozen oceans, shifting ice formations and endless polar horizons, the campaign transforms hyperfixations into immersive worlds where different passions can coexist, overlap and evolve. Because for Gen Z, being into one thing doesn't mean being defined by it. Music, fashion, gaming, culture, fandom and personal obsessions can all be equally important expressions of identity.

WATCHES INSPIRED BY A WORLD FROZEN IN TIME

Translating the Freeze Out universe into wearable design, the new Oceanyx Polar Edition draws inspiration from the textures, colours and unpredictability of frozen ocean landscapes.

The collection features 14 watches for men and women, blending bold contemporary silhouettes with icy blues, deep ocean greens, blacks, gunmetal, silver and rose-gold accents. Layered dials, textured finishes and striking details echo the fractured surfaces and fluid formations found across frozen waters. Available across metal bracelets, leather straps and silicone styles, the collection moves effortlessly across moods, aesthetics and, naturally, hyperfixations.

Speaking about the launch, Danny Jacob - Head of Marketing, Fastrack said, “The best hyperfixations have a way of making everything else disappear. One minute you're casually exploring something and the next you're completely immersed in it. A playlist, a sneaker culture, a game, a style, a city or something only you understand. With Oceanyx, we imagined what that feeling would look like if it became a world. Vast, frozen, surreal and completely removed from the everyday. Freeze Out is about those moments when time stops mattering and obsession takes over. That's where Fastrack belongs. Because a watch doesn't always have to remind you where you are in time. Sometimes, it should give you a reason to lose track of it.”

The campaign film for the Oceanyx Polar Edition is now live across Fastrack’s social media channels, bringing the collection’s world of escape, hyperfixation and “Freeze Out” to life. The collection is available across Fastrack stores and online at fastrack.in, with prices starting at ₹3,995 and going up to ₹7,095.

Beyond The Punchline, Netflix India Puts The Spotlight On Comedy That Connects At CII Big Picture Summit 2026

* From relatable characters to distinctive creative voices, Netflix explores what makes comedy connect and the many ways India laughs ~

Link to download pictures

Netflix India brought together creators, performers and storytellers at the CII Big Picture Summit 2026 to explore what makes comedy connect with audiences, from relatable characters and everyday situations to distinctive creative voices and evolving formats. At the Confederation of Indian Industry’s flagship summit, the session, “Beyond the Punchline: What Makes Comedy a Hit?”, examined how stories rooted in local contexts can resonate with audiences and how comedy continues to evolve across series, stand-up, unscripted entertainment and creator-led formats.

Moderated by Rohini Ramnathan, the session featured Tanya Bami, Series Head, Netflix India; Ravi Kishan, Actor, Producer and Member of Parliament; Sumukhi Suresh, Comedian, Actor and Writer; and Aatish Kapadia, Writer, Director, Co-Producer and Creator, bringing together diverse perspectives on comedy and storytelling. The panel looked at what makes comedy engaging, relatable and binge-worthy, with characters and stories that compel audiences to come back.

Speaking about the significance of comedy as a genre and Netflix’s continued focus on it, Tanya Bami, Series Head, Netflix India, said, “I think comedy is perhaps one of the biggest shared cultural experiences that can exist. I also firmly believe that comedy is India’s love language. We love laughing over a cup of chai, during a break at the water cooler, or as families over dinner. So, what better way to bring that to life than through content of the highest quality? Comedy is a very important genre. I think it connects people and for us, it has become more than a genre; it has become a lens through which we look at content.”

The session showcased how Netflix’s comedy slate brings together established entertainers, experienced storytellers and emerging voices. Bami highlighted that comedy may speak in different voices, styles and languages, but its ability to bring people together is universal. The beauty lies in this diversity, with different forms of comedy, from slapstick to satire, finding their own points of connection with audiences. Through its Har Type Ka Funny campaign, Netflix brings together different expressions of comedy across its slate with titles such as Chumbak, Maamla Legal Hai, The Great Indian Kapil Show, and Papa Yaar with Bhuvan Bam’s Dhindora S2 slated to release soon, alongside formats like Sumukhi Suresh’s Hoemonal and Samay Raina’s India’s Got Latent S2 that are now streaming on the platform.

The conversation also highlighted three key takeaways: comedy thrives on recognisable human experiences, distinctive creative voices bring fresh perspectives to familiar situations, and the craft behind the humour is as important as the punchline.

Speaking about what it took to bring VD Tyagi to life in Maamla Legal Hai, Ravi Kishan said, “We worked very hard on getting the timing right, figuring out the performance, the rhythm and the meter. We planned and choreographed everything meticulously, working extremely hard and our aim was to create a cult show on Netflix and we managed to reach audiences across 193 countries. That’s when I came to be known as VD Tyagi, and from there, my journey began.”

Sumukhi Suresh on being asked what makes comedy truly connect with audiences said, “Comedy is at its most honest when nobody is performing and it comes from a place of genuine spontaneity. That’s when the audience truly connects with it.”

Speaking about his process of identifying characters and building them into comedy narratives, Aatish Kapadia said, “Ordinary people have so many distinctive qualities, quirks and even egos that characters almost seem to emerge from within them organically. When I sit down for a meal, I often find myself more interested in the people around me than in the food, because I genuinely love people. And the more ordinary a person is, the more fascinating I find them.” He also spoke about his experience writing for Netflix and said, “ When Netflix becomes the audience for your writing, their experience teaches you that they know their audience deeply and are representative of what resonates with them. If we can make them laugh, we know we’re on the right track. That became our benchmark.”

The session concluded with the observation that while comedy may look effortless on screen, its execution relies on the craft behind it, including the writing, performances and on-screen chemistry that make a moment feel effortless and a character unforgettable.