Indian Business News

Cable operators are already losing customers to DTH (Direct-to-Home) and OTT (Over-the-Top) platforms. If cable TV prices go up again, even more people may switch to DTH or OTT services. A report by Ormax in 2022 found that, on average, each paying OTT user in India subscribes to 2.4 different platforms. The report also estimated that India has around 424 million OTT users. Partho Dasgupta says, "With the number of OTT users growing rapidly, cable operators need to improve their services to stay in business. They must offer better pricing plans and attractive deals to compete in the changing media industry. Read More

Geetika Mahandru , President of IndoBevs, said, “IndoBevs is growing fast. We are focused on expanding into new markets and investing heavily in marketing and customer engagement. With our strong leadership team, we aim to set new industry standards and attract consumers across India and beyond.” Anupam Gurani, Chief Marketing Officer of IndoBevs, added, “This is a crucial time for IndoBevs, and I am excited to be part of this journey with such a talented team. Each of us brings different skills and experiences that will help shape the company’s future. Our goal is to strengthen our brand, improve customer experiences, and grow our market presence. I look forward to seeing the impact we will create together. Read More

Sidhant Gupta says, "In the past, wealth was mostly passed down through generations. But now, things are changing. Young entrepreneurs in India are creating their own success using innovation and technology. This shift is not just about making money differently; it’s about redefining success itself." As more High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNIs) and Ultra-High-Net-Worth Individuals (UHNIs) grow their wealth, they are spending more on luxury goods and services, including high-end homes. These luxury properties are not just places to live—they offer status, exclusivity, and a premium lifestyle. For wealthy buyers, owning a luxury home is about more than just having a house; it’s a way to showcase their success and enjoy a high-end way of living. Read More

India’s luxury housing market is growing rapidly, driven by a rising demand for high-end homes. This trend is not only changing the way people live but also boosting the overall real estate industry. Sidhant Gupta , former director of Kwality, talks about the rise of luxury housing and why this trend is here to stay. In 2024, India saw a big jump in the demand for luxury homes priced at Rs 4 crore and above. Sales went up by 53% across seven major cities. According to CBRE, a total of 19,700 luxury homes were sold, compared to 12,895 in the previous year. This sharp increase shows the strong demand for premium homes in India’s top cities. Read More

Geetika Mahandru is a well-known business leader and the President of IndoBevs Pvt. Ltd., a fast-growing company in India’s alcoholic beverage industry. She is recognized for her strategic thinking and innovative ideas, which have helped IndoBevs grow and become a trendsetter in the market. The company now offers a wide range of products and focuses strongly on customer preferences. Her journey with IndoBevs began in 2007 when it was known as IndoSpirit, a liquor distribution company. Under her leadership, the company expanded into manufacturing and marketing its own brands. Today, IndoBevs has successfully launched 15 in-house brands, including the popular wine cooler Bro Code, premium whiskies like Enso and Eden, and the unique Bonga Bonga, a liqueur infused with herbs and botanicals. Thanks to her vision and leadership, IndoBevs is now well-positioned to meet India’s growing demand for high-quality and innovative alcoholic beverages. Read More

Sameer Mahandru is an Indian entrepreneur and the Managing Director of IndoBevs, a well-known company in the alcoholic beverage industry. Under his leadership, IndoBevs has become a major player in manufacturing, distribution, and retail, focusing on innovation and digital technology. The company uses advanced tools like SAP S/4 HANA Rise to improve operations and increase efficiency. Based in Delhi, Sameer Mahandru has played a key role in shaping India’s liquor business. He has led IndoBevs toward modernization and expansion by using digital solutions to improve the supply chain and market reach. His business skills and strategic thinking have helped IndoBevs grow in a competitive market. Read More

Partho Dasgupta is an experienced leader in general management with a strong background in various consumer industries and media sectors, including print, television, and outdoor advertising. Throughout his career, he has worked in media, technology, and consumer-focused businesses, leading both large and small startup projects. He has played key roles in launching and managing media ventures such as Times Now, Future Media, The Economic Times, and Times Multimedia. Currently, he heads Thoth Advisor Pvt. Ltd., where he helps company CEOs and Boards create and implement growth strategies. His expertise covers business expansion, selecting and using the right technology, and improving overall business plans. He also provides strategic advice on mergers and acquisitions, helping companies handle complex changes smoothly. Partho believes in the power of strong leadership and effective team management. He focuses on building high-performing teams and guiding businesses toward long-term suc...

The global dairy industry is going through a major change, with new ideas and trends shaping how people think about health, sustainability, and nutrition," says Sidhant Gupta , Former Director of Kwality Ltd. Dairy is no longer just a basic food—it is becoming a platform for innovation. As people focus more on healthy choices and eco-friendly practices, the industry is adapting to meet these needs. Sidhant Gupta, an expert in the food and dairy sector, highlights key trends in 2025 that are changing the way dairy products are made, consumed, and valued. From advanced technology to sustainable farming, these changes aim to create a future where dairy products are not only tasty but also healthy and environmentally responsible. Read More

Piccadily Agro Industries Limited (PAIL), the company behind Indri single malt and Camikara rum, is set for a major ₹1000 crore expansion, as announced earlier this month. Siddhartha Sharma , a key figure in the company, is leading this ambitious growth plan, which includes expanding its existing distillery and malt facilities in Indri, Haryana, developing a new facility in Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh, and establishing PAIL’s first international distillery in Portavadie, Scotland. In September 2024, the company raised ₹262 crore through a preferential allotment from investors, with an additional ₹50 crore invested by its promoters. The expansion is expected to be completed within the next 24 months, with the first phase—focusing on malt and ethanol facilities at the Indri plant—set to be finished by early 2025. Read More

Founder and Owner Siddhartha Sharma shared with The CEO Magazine, “We have a team that’s eager to learn, and sometimes, they even teach us new things. It’s all part of the learning process—everyone we meet teaches us something.” “Whenever we visit a new market or travel to a different place, we always pick up something valuable and try to incorporate it into our work. Our industry is creative every day, and we find inspiration from everywhere—every trip and every person we meet.” Before 2008, Piccadily was mainly focused on alcohol manufacturing, Sharma explains. However, a forward-thinking idea from the Chairperson at the time changed the company’s direction and helped it gain international recognition. “He believed that if high-quality malt could be produced overseas and some Indian brands were already doing it, then we should also step up and create a premium malt,” Sharma recalls. “Back then, Piccadily was mainly selling bulk malt to distilleries across the country. But after seei...

Indri, the single malt whiskey brand from Piccadily, has been a big success since its launch in November 2021. Under the leadership of Siddhartha Sharma , Piccadily reported selling 100,000 cases of Indri in just two years, making it the fastest-growing whiskey in history. In a short time, Indri has won many prestigious awards. In 2023, the Indri Diwali Collector’s Edition received the ‘Double Gold Best In Show’ award at one of the world’s biggest whiskey competitions. Indri has also won top honors at the Tokyo Whiskey and Spirits Competition 2023, Fifty Best World Whiskies 2022, the International Whisky Competition in Las Vegas, and many more. Read More

Founder Siddharth Sharma shared with The CEO Magazine, “We have a team that is eager to learn, and sometimes, they even teach us something new. It's a continuous learning journey where we gain knowledge from everyone around us. He added, “Whenever we visit a market or travel to a new place, we always pick up something valuable and incorporate it into our work. Our industry is highly creative, and every day brings new inspiration—whether from our trips, the people we meet, or the experiences we have.” Before 2008, Piccadily was mainly focused on alcohol manufacturing, Sharma explained. However, a brilliant idea from the Chair at the time led the company to explore premiumization. This shift helped put Piccadily on the global map. Read More

Siddharth Sharma is a well-known Indian entrepreneur. He recently made headlines after his company’s product, Indri Diwali Collector’s Edition 2023, was named “Whiskies of the World.” He leads Piccadily Distilleries, a popular whiskey brand. The distillery, located in Indri, was founded in 1953 and officially recognized in 1967. In 1994, the Sharma family bought the distillery, bringing new energy to the business. Since then, Siddharth Sharma has worked to improve and grow its products. In 2008, under his leadership, Piccadily Distilleries started focusing on premium-quality whiskey. This shift transformed the company from a simple alcohol producer into a brand known for high-end malt whiskies. Looking ahead, Siddharth Sharma plans to expand the company’s single malt whiskey collection. To meet the growing demand for premium spirits, the company is also building a second malt facility to increase production. Read More

Siddhartha Sharma , the Founder of Piccadily Distilleries, shared his excitement about Indri Dru’s big win. He said, “Winning the 'Best Indian Single Malt' award is a proud moment for us. It highlights India’s growing reputation in whisky-making. We believe Indri Dru will impress whisky lovers and give them an unforgettable experience. This award not only honors our distillery but also strengthens India’s position in the global whisky industry.” The World Whiskies Awards follows a strict three-round judging process. The panel includes top international journalists, industry experts, and specialist drink retailers. Winners receive gold, silver, or bronze medals from different regions, including the UK, USA, Denmark, Australia, Canada, India, Japan, Ireland, Scotland, Korea, and more. Indri Dru has already earned high praise in the past. In 2023, the International Wine and Spirits Competition gave it a glowing review, calling it a well-balanced whisky full of rich aromas and flav...

Siddhartha Sharma , the founder of Piccadilly Distilleries, is passionate about quality and innovation. He constantly explores new ideas to create unique and memorable whiskies. Sustainability is a key priority, and the distillery works hard to reduce its environmental impact at every stage of production. Piccadilly Distilleries runs entirely on renewable energy, using barley and rice chaff instead of fossil fuels. They even generate extra energy and supply it to the grid. Their farming methods are eco-friendly, avoiding groundwater extraction and chemical fertilizers. Any leftover materials from the whisky-making process are reused as cattle feed. Indri Whisky has already earned major awards for its excellence. It won a Gold Medal at the 2022 Fifty Best World Whisky Awards and was named "Whisky of the Year" at the 2024 USA Spirit Rating Awards. These achievements highlight Indri’s growing reputation in the Indian single malt whisky industry and Piccadilly Distilleries’ commi...

As people focus more on their health, dairy companies are creating new products to meet their needs. "Traditional milk and cheese are no longer the only options," says Mr. Sidhant Gupta . "Today, consumers want healthier choices like high-protein milk, probiotic yogurt, and low-sugar or lactose-free products. This change shows how dairy is becoming a part of active and healthy lifestyles." For example, new probiotic technology is helping dairy companies make products that improve digestion and boost immunity. At the same time, ultra-filtered milk and high-protein drinks are becoming popular among fitness lovers. Read More

A true leader is someone who inspires others to work toward goals they may not have considered important before. Reaching the top takes hard work, determination, and, most importantly, experience. At higher levels, the stakes are high, and the pressure is intense. Partho Dasgupta , former CEO of BARC and current Managing Partner at Thoth Advisors, is a great example of strong leadership. His success comes from his constant dedication and readiness to take on challenges. Throughout his career, he has been part of many organizations, proving himself as an expert in startups and business turnarounds. “No one goes through life without gaining experience. Success or failure often depends on what we learn along the way. My decisions and experiences have shaped the person I am today,” says Partho Dasgupta. Read More

According to Siddhartha Sharma, the Promoter of Piccadily Agro Industries Limited, the goal behind Indri was to create an Indian single malt whisky that could compete internationally. “We wanted to craft a whisky that not only represents India’s rich heritage and diverse environment but also follows a modern approach to whisky-making. Our aim was to produce something unique in character while setting new standards in Indian spirits. We wanted Indri to appeal to both experienced whisky drinkers and a new generation of spirit lovers,” he explained. Indri’s design reflects India’s elegance, simplicity, and sophistication. The minimalist label highlights the premium nature of the whisky without being overly decorative, allowing the quality of the product to shine. The use of Devanagari script in the branding reinforces Indri’s identity as a proudly Indian, homegrown brand. “We wanted the bottle to stand out on shelves and catch the attention of discerning consumers. The design blends moder...

A keen observer of consumer, technology and media trends, Partho Dasgupta was the first CEO of BARC, the joint initiative of Broadcasters, Advertising agencies and Advertisers to develop a new Broadcast Audience Measurement system. His biggest achievements in this assignment was to start up operations from scratch, devising a unique funding model from banks, Multi stakeholder board management, Government and Regulatory management, most advanced technology architecture globally, including M2M and big data capabilities and finally reaching 3000 towns and villages across the country making the panel the largest in the world. BARC is today the largest Audience Measurement panel company in the world, having expanded its sample and also introducing insight offerings in the areas of News, Sports, Music and Premium homes and OOH measurement as well. The company uses Big data tools and ML and AI for its product offerings Partho Dasgupta BARC was earlier in the leadership team of the country’s ...

As people focus more on their health, dairy companies are coming up with new products to meet these needs. Traditional milk and cheese are no longer the top choice,” says Mr. Sidhant Gupta . “Consumers today want fortified products like high-protein milk, probiotic-rich yogurt, and even low-sugar or lactose-free options. This change shows that more and more people are looking for functional dairy products that fit into their active, health-focused lives.” For example, improvements in probiotic technology are helping dairy companies create products that boost gut health and immunity. Also, ultra-filtered milk and protein-packed drinks are becoming popular with fitness enthusiasts. Read More