Dev Chatterjee, Aneesh Phadnis And Shine Jacob

Stories by Dev Chatterjee, Aneesh Phadnis And Shine Jacob

Akshay, Rajinikanth Pump Life Back into the Movies

Akshay, Rajinikanth Pump Life Back into the Movies

Rediff.com   24 Nov 2021

Sooryavanshi and Annaatthe have already collected 6 percent of the film industry's 2020 revenue.

After rain havoc 'Smart City' Chennai reels under politics

After rain havoc 'Smart City' Chennai reels under politics

Rediff.com   23 Nov 2021

Chennai is one of the cities where works have been completed for almost 62 per cent of the money lined up -- Rs 599 crore of the Rs 959 crore has been utilised so far. Despite this, there was no respite for the people in the city this time either, with North Chennai being the worst affected.

Airlines, ground handlers told to go green

Airlines, ground handlers told to go green

Rediff.com   22 Nov 2021

The civil aviation ministry has mandated airlines and ground-handling companies to phase out airport equipment older than 12 years and switch to electric or fuel-efficient variants by May 2022. While companies have welcomed the ministry's green initiative, they said that the deadline for implementation is tight. This is especially in the wake of financial challenges faced by the aviation sector during the pandemic.

Domestic airlines look to revive zero bag fares to grow traffic

Domestic airlines look to revive zero bag fares to grow traffic

Rediff.com   18 Nov 2021

Domestic airlines are preparing to offer lower fares for passengers without check-in bags in a move to improve seat occupancy and market share. IndiGo chief executive officer Ronojoy Dutta indicated the airline's interest to offer zero bag fares in an interaction with Bloomberg. Regulatory caps on fares and capacity related to Covid-19 have prevented IndiGo from taking a decision and the airline is discussing the issue with the government, he said.

Should you buy JioPhone Next? Here's what experts say

Should you buy JioPhone Next? Here's what experts say

Rediff.com   9 Nov 2021

Reliance-Google's new smartphone has got mixed reviews from analysts and brokerages. The phone pricing is seen unattractive for low-end customers and bundled offers are being viewed as non-disruptive. While this could slow the pace of adoption, it could set the stage for tariff hikes in the industry, feel analysts.

Tatas, Adani, Ambanis in scramble for super app

Tatas, Adani, Ambanis in scramble for super app

Rediff.com   8 Nov 2021

The groups plan to take on well-entrenched players like Amazon, Flipkart, and Paytm by merging their offline businesses with e-commerce initiatives.

Future Retail independent directors drag Amazon to CCI

Future Retail independent directors drag Amazon to CCI

Rediff.com   8 Nov 2021

Amazon violated FDI norms, allege Future Retail independent directors.

Airtel to lean on its 180 mn digital users to propel payments bank business

Airtel to lean on its 180 mn digital users to propel payments bank business

Rediff.com   5 Nov 2021

Bharti Airtel aims to leverage its 180 million plus digital service customers and its wide presence in rural areas to grow its payment bank business. "We are well placed as we can leverage the 180 million plus customers we have across our digital assets. "We offer a plethora of services such as lucrative interest rates, gift cards, FASTag, telecom recharges, payments and debit cards. "Our large merchant base of more than eight million allows us to drive both engagement and monetisation.

Business travel takes off again on a wing and a prayer

Business travel takes off again on a wing and a prayer

Rediff.com   2 Nov 2021

Business executives are finally dusting off their long-unused suitcases to resume travel, thanks to a good vaccination rate, a drop in fresh cases, and an easing of travel restrictions. It comes as a huge relief for the ravaged aviation, travel and hospitality sectors. "We are witnessing a 40 per cent recovery on pre-covid volumes from our business travellers, signalling the return of corporate confidence in air travel," said Indiver Rastogi, president & group head, Global Business Travel, Thomas Cook (India) & SOTC.

Can Ilaya Thalapthi Vijay win where Rajini and Kamal failed?

Can Ilaya Thalapthi Vijay win where Rajini and Kamal failed?

Rediff.com   1 Nov 2021

A relatively quiet foray by actor Vijay into politics through the TN rural local body elections last month has captured the attention of many, reports Shine Jacob.

Air India Will Help Tata Rule The Skies

Air India Will Help Tata Rule The Skies

Rediff.com   29 Oct 2021

The acquisition will give the Tatas a firm footing on international routes and generate economies of scale.

China-Plus-One to push Indian textile exports to $65 bn by 2026: Study

China-Plus-One to push Indian textile exports to $65 bn by 2026: Study

Rediff.com   28 Oct 2021

Backed by the 'China Plus One' sentiment globally, India's textile exports is expected to grow by 81 per cent to $65 billion by 2026 from the pre-Covid level of around $36 billion in 2019, said a report by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and global consulting firm Kearney. This jump is likely to generate 7.5-10 million new jobs. A large chunk of this targeted increase, or around $16 billion may come from the China Plus One sentiment due to India's relatively large strategic depth compared with Vietnam or Bangladesh, the report said.

Kerala Oppn, experts question Centre, state on dam management

Kerala Oppn, experts question Centre, state on dam management

Rediff.com   26 Oct 2021

Poor dam management was considered as a major reason for the 2018 floods in the state that led to a loss of around Rs 50,000 crore and claimed as many as 483 lives, reports Shine Jacob.

Travel firms expect heavy rush as US lifts curbs

Travel firms expect heavy rush as US lifts curbs

Rediff.com   18 Oct 2021

Travel companies are expecting a heavy rush to the US following the withdrawal of curbs on fully vaccinated travellers from select countries, including India, on November 8. The move will benefit those holding long-term tourist, business, and work visas. Also, new and extra flights by Air India and American Airlines are expected to provide better travel options.

Dish TV vs Yes Bank: Another corporate battle looms

Dish TV vs Yes Bank: Another corporate battle looms

Rediff.com   18 Oct 2021

Even as the corporate battle over Zee Entertainment Enterprises (ZEEL) has reached the Bombay high court, another Essel Group firm - Dish TV India - is gearing up for a legal battle with YES Bank by planning to move the National Company Law Tribunal to appoint six of its nominees on the board of the loss-making company. While Dish TV said YES Bank has acquired 26 per cent stake by invoking the pledged shares of Essel Group promoter, it also said YES Bank must make an open offer to shareholders of the company, according to the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) takeover code. This, as YES Bank is seeking to take control of the company, said Dish TV.

Tata group may need to invest $1 billion to upgrade Air India fleet

Tata group may need to invest $1 billion to upgrade Air India fleet

Rediff.com   18 Oct 2021

The Tata group may have to deploy upwards of $1 billion to improve the airline's passenger reservation system, upgrade and refurbish Air India's fleet, primarily the wide-body aircraft which are the mainstay for the airline's international operations, people in the know said. While the group has not yet decided on how it intends to integrate Air India with its existing airlines AirAsia India and Vistara, sources said the first task will be to refinance Air India's existing loans, upgrade its aircraft gradually, and rewrite multiple business contracts with vendors and suppliers. "They will have to do 100 things to stabilise the airline and will have to put in a lot of money," DIPAM secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey said, confirming that many aircraft are grounded.

Stalin asks Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Odisha to lift firecracker ban

Stalin asks Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Odisha to lift firecracker ban

Rediff.com   16 Oct 2021

According to the Indian Fireworks' Manufacturers' Association, the ban would wipe out sales of around Rs 600 crore during the upcoming Deepavali season.

States, Centre not on same page on digital health mission

States, Centre not on same page on digital health mission

Rediff.com   14 Oct 2021

Tamil Nadu plans parallel programme with unique user IDs

Jhunjhunwala-backed Akasa Air to start flying from 2022

Jhunjhunwala-backed Akasa Air to start flying from 2022

Rediff.com   12 Oct 2021

In the season of aviation action, Rakesh Jhunjhunwala-backed Akasa Air has secured the crucial no-objection certificate (NoC) from the civil aviation ministry. It expects to start operations next summer. The airline will now have to apply for the Directorate General of Civil Aviation for operations permit. Aviation sector has been in the limelight with the Tata Group winning the Air India bid last week.

Jio's cashback offer to escalate competition

Jio's cashback offer to escalate competition

Rediff.com   7 Oct 2021

Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Jio has introduced a 20-per cent cashback offer on select prepaid plans, intensifying competition in the Indian telecommunications (telecom) market. Jio is the largest telecom service provider in India, with 443 million subscribers as of July. Jio's cashback offer will drive cross-selling across Reliance's various retail businesses, but the move is also being seen by some analysts as a signal that tariff hikes may not be around the corner just yet.