Inside the Rise of Indie Indian Designers Who Are Ditching Bollywood Glam and Redefining Streetwear with Culture and Chaos
For years, Indian fashion was either runway couture or wedding glam—no in-between. But 2025? It’s serving something way more real. A wave of homegrown indie designers is taking over, mixing streetwear, heritage, protest, and play into pieces that actually feel like us.
Take Delhi-based label NorBlack NorWhite or Mumbai’s Bobo Calcutta. They’re not following rules—they’re making clothes that talk. Bright colours. Genderless cuts. Textiles that have something to say. And a strong rejection of everything that’s polished and predictable.
This isn’t anti-fashion—it’s anti-fake. The new Indian streetwear is rooted in identity, rebellion, and craftsmanship. These brands are loud without being tacky, Indian without being ethnic caricatures.
What’s fresh? They’re collaborating with artists, tattoo studios, underground musicians, even meme pages. It’s not just clothes anymore—it’s community. The kind that feels like a house party, a protest, and an art installation all rolled into one.
And Gen Z is buying into it—not just because it’s cool, but because it’s conscious. They’re done with mass production. They want something with a pulse.
What we’re watching is the start of a new fashion language—bold, chaotic, and uniquely Indian. And the best part? It’s happening outside the pages of Vogue and inside Instagram DMs, pop-up thrift markets, and warehouse shows in Versova.
ITC Acquires 24 Mantra Organic in ₹472.5 Cr Deal, Eyes Bigger Slice of Organic Market
ITC has officially taken over Sresta Natural Bioproducts, the company behind the popular organic food brand 24 Mantra Organic, in a deal worth ₹472.5 crore. This marks a bold step by the diversified conglomerate to deepen its presence in the booming organic foods space.
The acquisition, finalized on June 13, 2025, gives ITC full ownership of Sresta Natural Bioproducts Private Limited (SNBPL). Out of the total deal value, ₹400 crore was paid upfront, with the remaining ₹72.5 crore set to be paid out over the next two years.
SNBPL, founded in 2004, is one of the early movers in the Indian organic food market. Its portfolio features over 100 certified organic products—from staples like rice and pulses to spices, oils, and ready-to-drink beverages. It also boasts a strong international footprint, especially among Indian communities abroad, with two subsidiaries—Fyve Elements LLC in the US and Sresta Global FZE in the UAE.
According to ITC, this acquisition aligns with its plan to build a “future-ready” food business that caters to evolving consumer preferences. Health-focused eating, sustainability concerns, and premium grocery habits are driving more Indian consumers toward organic options. ITC wants to be front and center in this shift.
SNBPL isn’t just a retail brand; it’s deeply rooted in organic farming. The company works directly with around 27,500 farmers across 10 Indian states, covering nearly 1.4 lakh acres of certified organic farmland in 71 farming clusters. In FY 2023–24, it posted a revenue of ₹306.1 crore.
Inside India’s $85 Billion Food Biz: Ananya Malhotra of Anicut Capital Dishes Out Market Secrets and Surging Trends
From biryanis to sushis, what we see on our plates today is the result of an industry undergoing massive transformation. In a post that quickly gained traction on LinkedIn, Ananya Malhotra, VC at Anicut Capital, peeled back the layers of glam and revealed the real story behind India’s food service sector. Her firm’s 37-page deep-dive report lays out how the sector is set to grow to $85.2 billion by 2025, and nearly $140 billion by 2030.
But this isn’t just about numbers. It’s about a fundamental shift in how Indians are eating, ordering, and even thinking about food.
One of the most striking takeaways from the report is the rise in demand for global cuisines. Millennials, in particular, are driving this change—60% of them eat Chinese food about five times a month. Sushi sales on Swiggy touched 2.6 lakh orders in 2022 alone. Global food chains aren’t just entering the market—they’re adapting menus to suit Indian palates.
The digital wave is another major force. In 2023, food delivery platforms hit 50 million monthly active users, up from 20 million in 2019. People are discovering restaurants through Instagram, using self-order kiosks in QSRs, and increasingly opting for online ordering, which now stands at 12% penetration—up from 8% in 2019.
Meanwhile, the concept of health and sustainability is gaining ground. By 2026, India is expected to have 176 million health-conscious consumers. Many restaurants are now offering plant-based options and adopting waste-reduction and recycling practices.
Cloud kitchens are also having their moment. With a projected growth rate of 16.6%, they are becoming the go-to model for speed, convenience, and scale.
Ananya’s post makes one thing clear: while the food might be beautifully plated, the business behind it is intense, fast-changing, and packed with opportunity. Whether you’re in the industry or just watching it unfold, this report gives a sharp view of where things are headed.
Canara HSBC Life Insurance Ropes in Jasprit Bumrah and Sanjana Ganesan as Brand Ambassadors to Reinforce Trust and Commitment
Canara HSBC Life Insurance has brought on board cricketing ace Jasprit Bumrah and sports presenter Sanjana Ganesan as its new brand ambassadors, tapping into the power couple’s credibility and connection with modern India.
The company is weaving the duo into its messaging around trust, reliability, and support—qualities it believes are essential both in relationships and in choosing a life insurance partner. The campaign draws from their real-life dynamic as a couple who support each other through personal and professional highs and lows.
“Life doesn’t always follow a script. Plans evolve, goals shift, and challenges show up uninvited. What matters is having someone you can count on through it all,” said Rishi Mathur, Chief Distribution Officer – Alternate Channels and Chief Marketing Officer at Canara HSBC Life Insurance. “That’s what we aim to be for our customers. And that’s what Jasprit and Sanjana represent—steady, grounded, and deeply committed.”
The company’s latest campaign leans into its identity as a brand that walks beside people in their life journeys—not just as a financial provider, but as a partner in every sense. Bumrah’s calm under pressure and steady performance on the cricket field reflect the consistency Canara HSBC aims to deliver. Ganesan’s clarity and communication skills echo the brand’s emphasis on transparency and connection.
With this partnership, Canara HSBC isn’t just adding celebrity faces—it’s telling a story about standing by the people who trust you, no matter what life throws their way.
TATA Starbucks Breaks Silence on Dolly Chaiwala Rumor: No Brand Ambassador Appointed, Meme Blamed for Viral Hoax
TATA Starbucks has shut down swirling rumors that it had roped in internet sensation and tea vendor Dolly Chaiwala—real name Sunil Patil—as its brand ambassador in India. The company issued a firm clarification on Monday, stating that there’s no truth to the claims and that the chatter stemmed from a viral prank gone too far.
“We’ve seen the social media buzz around an alleged brand ambassador. Let us be clear: TATA Starbucks has not appointed anyone in that role, and there is no collaboration with Dolly Chaiwala,” the company said in an official statement.
The confusion began after influencer Aditya Oza posted an April Fools’ Day prank featuring a doctored image and an entirely fictional tale suggesting that Starbucks had brought Dolly Chaiwala onboard as their brand face in India. The post quickly spread like wildfire, picked up by pages and platforms without verification. Some even published AI-generated summaries, further fueling the false narrative.
The viral image, Starbucks said, “was a meme, created independently by a third party.” It emphasized that the company had nothing to do with the post and that it wasn’t tied to any marketing initiative, formal or otherwise.
Despite the original content being deleted, screenshots and repurposed versions continue to circulate, prompting the coffee giant to issue a public statement to nip the rumors in the bud.
“We believe in transparent communication and maintaining the trust of our customers,” the company noted, while also alluding to the broader challenge of misinformation spreading unchecked across digital spaces.
This incident underlines how a harmless joke can snowball into something far more misleading—especially when shared in an era where fiction can easily pass for fact.
Hrithik Roshan’s HRX Drops First Oat Milk Protein Shake with 25g Protein, Zero Sugar — Partners with Curefoods for Nationwide Rollout
HRX, the fitness and lifestyle brand co-founded by Hrithik Roshan, has stepped beyond apparel and accessories to debut its first offering in the nutrition space — a range of oat milk-based protein shakes. Designed for the growing tribe of fitness-focused, ingredient-aware Indians, these dairy-free drinks are now hitting the shelves online and offline across the country.
You’ll find them listed on Amazon, Swiggy Instamart, and even through Curefoods’ cloud kitchens on Swiggy and Zomato. HRX is also selling them via its own e-commerce channels and select physical outlets.
Each 200ml bottle delivers a solid punch: 25 grams of plant-based protein without a drop of dairy or a trace of refined sugar. Whether you’re post-workout or powering through a busy day, the shake is meant to provide a clean, satisfying boost. It packs 114.54 calories, 120mg of calcium, and 415mg of sodium per 100ml, all formulated to support recovery and overall nourishment — minus the junk.
HRX is also ditching plastic in favor of glass bottles — a choice that’s as much about preserving nutrients as it is about cutting down on waste. The focus on clean, minimal ingredients continues to be central to the brand’s promise of health without compromise.
Ankit Nagori, co-founder of Curefoods, summed it up: “This isn’t just a protein shake. It’s nutrition designed for real life — clean, convenient, and made for movement.”
And there’s more coming. The brand has already lined up a few follow-up flavors: Vanilla with the same 25g protein, and two lighter options — Cold Coffee and Chocolate, each with 18g protein per bottle. All future variants will keep oat milk and natural sweeteners at the core.
With this launch, HRX is signalling its intention to go beyond clothing racks and gym bags — aiming to be a full-spectrum fitness companion, right from what you wear to what you eat.
Bengaluru’s Nuvie Secures ₹3.8 Cr Pre-Seed Backing from PedalStart, Mukesh Bansal to Shake Up India’s Health Food Market
Bengaluru-based food and beverage startup Nuvie has bagged ₹3.8 crore ($450,000) in its debut funding round, setting the stage for an ambitious growth push. The round was led by startup accelerator PedalStart, and drew backing from several well-known names including Mukesh Bansal (the force behind Myntra, Cult.fit, and Nurix), Ayyappan R, Chanakya Gupta, and Arun Sharma.
Founded just last month by Prashant Paliwal and Hem Narayan, Nuvie is out to challenge India’s perception of health food. Their mission? To make “eating better” something people actually enjoy. Rather than the usual bland, clinical approach to nutrition, Nuvie is offering a friendlier, tastier path to wellness with products like protein-packed milkshakes and guilt-free chocolates.
The company kicked off its journey with a lactose-free, ready-to-drink protein shake available in three flavors. It’s now rolling out five new shake variants. But that’s just the beginning. On the cards are protein-infused chocolate bars that taste like the real deal, and even a coffee-meets-protein hybrid drink — cheekily dubbed “Proffee.”
The funding will be channelled into product innovation, ramping up brand visibility, creating high-impact content, and widening its distribution reach. And the results are already showing: Nuvie’s drinks are currently stocked in over 100 premium retail outlets across metro cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Hyderabad. They’ve also found a home in 200+ fitness centers and are pushing deeper into the market via Blinkit, Instamart, BigBasket, and their own online store.
Despite being just weeks old, Nuvie is clocking over ₹10 lakh in monthly revenue. The team is now gunning for a bold target — hitting a ₹10 crore annual revenue run rate by the end of 2025.
Zepto’s Dharavi Dark Store Reopens After FDA Crackdown: Moldy Stock, Stagnant Water, and a Wake-Up Call for Quick Commerce
After weeks of regulatory heat, Zepto has received the green light to restart operations at its dark store in Mumbai’s Dharavi. The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has lifted the suspension on the store’s food business licence following a follow-up inspection and submission of detailed corrective measures by the company.
According to officials speaking with CNBC-TV18, Zepto submitted a fresh compliance dossier that included photos, internal audit reports, and results from water quality checks. Satisfied with the steps taken, the Appellate Authority overturned the suspension order.
The original shutdown came after an FDA inspection revealed alarming lapses: expired stock on shelves, visible mold on food items, dirty storage areas, and standing water in the facility. Cold storage temperatures were reportedly below standard, and goods were found lying directly on damp, unclean floors. Expired and fresh products were poorly segregated—conditions the FDA described as a direct violation of licensing norms.
This incident has turned the spotlight on the entire quick commerce space, which has exploded in popularity across Indian metros. Just days after the Zepto action, the FDA flagged a Blinkit facility in Pune for operating without a food safety licence.
In a statement, Zepto said it remains committed to strict hygiene practices and “a safe, trusted experience” for its users.
Maharashtra Minister of State for Food and Drug Administration, Yogesh Kadam, emphasized that no single company is being singled out. Speaking to CNBC-TV18, he said that Zepto, Blinkit, Instamart, and others will all face joint inspections going forward, and penalties will be imposed wherever hygiene or licensing norms are flouted.
Meanwhile, Zepto is pushing back its IPO plans to 2026. The company is currently in talks to raise domestic capital and transition to a fully Indian-owned entity. It’s also dealing with internal issues like delivery staff protests in Hyderabad and the rollback of its Zepto Café format in several cities.
Better Nutrition Sets ₹100 Cr Target by FY27: Backed by PV Sindhu, Shark Tank Star Rides 10X Growth Wave
Lucknow-headquartered Better Nutrition, a startup tackling malnutrition through everyday staples, is setting its sights high. The company is targeting a revenue of ₹100 crore in FY27, a nearly 9X leap from its current turnover of ₹11.5 crore in FY25, by betting big on quick commerce and aggressive expansion in tier-2 and tier-3 towns.
Speaking to Financial Express, Prateek Rastogi, Co-founder and CEO, said the brand expects to close FY26 at ₹27 crore, thanks to wider retail distribution and a new wave of product launches tailored to regional demand.
Co-founded by Aishwarya Bhatnagar, Better Nutrition works with over 20,000 farmers across India through its grassroots supply chain model branded as ‘Kisan Ki Dukan’. The idea is simple yet powerful: provide farmers with biofortified seeds—naturally rich in zinc, iron, calcium, and protein—and source the enriched harvest directly from them. The approach cuts out middlemen while ensuring nutrient-packed food reaches Indian households without altering consumer habits or hiking prices.
“Our mission is to enrich daily staples like atta and rice with critical micronutrients—without asking consumers to change what they eat or spend more,” said Bhatnagar.
The company initially gained traction with biofortified wheat flour and rice, and is now expanding into a wider range including zinc and iron-rich pulses and high-protein rice. It is actively investing in R&D and strengthening its leadership team to support this growth.
A big turning point came earlier this year when Better Nutrition appeared on Shark Tank India Season 4 in February. Since then, monthly revenue has grown nearly tenfold—from ₹10 lakh to over ₹1 crore—firmly placing the startup in India’s fast-evolving nutrition economy.
Karnataka High Court Halts Rapido, Ola, Uber Bike Taxis: 600,000 Riders Face Unemployment, ₹700 Cr Earnings at Stake
Karnataka’s ride-hailing scene faces a major jolt. The state’s High Court has refused to pause an earlier decision banning bike taxi services, forcing platforms like Rapido, Ola, and Uber to pull the plug on their two-wheeler operations starting Monday, June 16.
The verdict came from a division bench headed by Acting Chief Justice Kameswar Rao and Justice Sreenivas Harish Kumar, which made it clear that the previous ruling—issued by Justice B. Shyam Prasad on April 2—will continue to hold. The next hearing has been scheduled for June 24, with both the companies and the state transport department expected to present their arguments in full by June 20.
The companies had been hoping for some breathing room while a more permanent solution was debated, but the court didn’t budge. The judges pointed to the government’s continued indecision on creating any regulatory framework for bike taxis. “Had the state shown a willingness to bring in proper rules, interim relief could have been considered,” noted Justice Rao during the proceedings.
This legal saga began when a single-judge bench ordered the suspension of bike taxi operations across the state, setting a six-week compliance deadline that was first extended to May 14 and later to June 15. With that window now closed, platforms are compelled to comply immediately.
The Battle of Rules: Centre vs State
At the heart of the dispute is a clash over regulatory authority. Ride-hailing firms argue that in the absence of local laws, central government guidelines under the Motor Vehicles Act should take precedence. The Karnataka government, however, maintains that those guidelines carry no legal weight unless officially adopted at the state level.
Rapido, one of the worst-hit players, didn’t mince words about the fallout. The company warned that over 600,000 riders across Karnataka could lose their income streams overnight. It claims that nearly three-quarters of its drivers rely on the platform as their primary livelihood, earning around ₹35,000 per month.
In Bengaluru alone, Rapido said it had paid out ₹700 crore to riders and contributed over ₹100 crore in GST—figures it presented to underline the scale of economic disruption the ban could trigger.
The April order had cited the need for bike taxi operations to be governed under Section 93 of the Motor Vehicles Act, which requires formal rules to allow any such services. Until then, the court ruled, these operations must stay off the roads.
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