Diffusion Engineers, a leading provider of repair and reconditioning services for heavy machinery, is set to launch its Initial Public Offering (IPO) on September 26, 2024 with a price band of Rs 159-168 per share. The Maharashtra-based company, which also manufactures welding consumables. Here’s a detailed look at the upcoming IPO and the company’s financial performance.

IPO key details

IPO opening date: September 26, 2024

IPO closing date: September 30, 2024

Anchor book date: September 25, 2024

Issue size: Fresh issue of 94.05 lakh equity shares

Price band: Rs 159-168 per share

Listing date: October 4, 2024

Lead manager: Unistone Capital

Registrar: Bigshare Services

Incorporated in 1982 and owned by the Garg family, Diffusion Engineers is a well-established name in the heavy machinery and equipment industry. The company also trades in anti-wear powders and welding and cutting machinery. With four manufacturing units located in Nagpur, Maharashtra, Diffusion Engineers plans to expand its portfolio by manufacturing powders for corrosion and abrasion resistance to be used in welding applications.

Financial Performance: FY24

Diffusion Engineers has demonstrated solid financial growth in FY24:

Revenue: ₹278.1 crore, reflecting a 9.1% growth from ₹255 crore in FY23.

Profit: ₹30.8 crore, a 39.1% increase compared to the previous year, driven by improved operational efficiency.

EBITDA: ₹38.9 crore, marking a 39.4% growth, with EBITDA margins expanding by 310 basis points to reach 14% in FY24.

The company aims to diversify its welding consumables portfolio by incorporating new products like corrosion-resistant powders. More than 90% of Diffusion Engineers’ revenue comes from the domestic market, while the remaining portion is generated through exports. With steady revenue and profit growth, the company is well-positioned to continue its expansion and cater to the increasing demand in the heavy engineering sector.

Diffusion Engineers’ IPO offers a solid opportunity for investors, particularly those looking at the heavy machinery and engineering sector. The company’s strong financial performance, strategic expansion plans, and growing demand for its services make it an attractive prospect.

The Indian stock market is likely to open lower on Monday, mirroring the cautious mood in global markets. Despite ending higher on Friday, Sensex and Nifty 50 experienced over 2% losses for the week, driven by heavy Foreign Institutional Investor (FII) selling and election-related concerns.  

Market cues driving the lower opening

• Weak Asian cues: Asian markets, particularly China, set the tone for a negative start. China’s inflation data and other economic indicators are raising concerns among investors.
• Profit booking after weekly losses: Despite a positive close on Friday, Sensex and Nifty 50 witnessed weekly losses exceeding 2%. Heavy selling by Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) and election-related anxieties contributed to this decline.

Domestic and global factors to watch:

• Q4 earnings season: Investors remain focused on the ongoing release of company results for the fourth quarter (Q4). These results will provide valuable insights into corporate performance and future outlooks.
• India’s retail inflation data: Upcoming retail inflation data for India will be closely monitored for its impact on market sentiment.
• Macroeconomic trends: Domestic and global macroeconomic trends, including interest rate policies, economic growth indicators, and geopolitical tensions, will influence investor decisions.
• Foreign capital flows: Fluctuations in foreign capital flows, particularly FII activity, can significantly impact Indian stock prices.
• Crude oil prices: Oil prices play a crucial role in influencing inflation and corporate earnings. Recent declines in oil prices offer some relief, but further developments will be watched closely.

Key market indicators:

• Asian markets: The Japanese Nikkei 225 and Topix indices fell, while South Korea’s Kospi saw a slight gain. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index futures also suggest a weak opening.
• Gift Nifty today: Gift Nifty, an indicator of the upcoming session, traded around 22,095 levels, signaling a potentially negative start for Sensex and Nifty 50.
• Wall street performance: US stocks ended with a mixed bag on Friday. While the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 gained, the Nasdaq Composite closed lower.
• US consumer sentiment: A decline in US consumer sentiment to a six-month low in May reflects ongoing economic uncertainties.
• US Fed policy stance: Although Federal Reserve officials acknowledge signs of a slowing economy, the timing of potential rate cuts remains unclear.
• China inflation: China’s consumer prices witnessed a third consecutive monthly rise in April, while producer prices showed continued decline.
• India’s Industrial Production: India’s Index of Industrial Production (IIP) growth rate slowed down to 4.9% in March compared to 5.7% in February.

You can make well-rounded investment decisions and adjust your strategies to navigate market volatility effectively. A comprehensive understanding of domestic and global factors influencing the Indian market is essential for successful investing.

In an unprecedented move, the renowned ‘Media Skills – New York Academy’ in Mumbai has announced the ‘Dale Bhagwagar Media Arts Scholarship’ for two deserving students interested in pursuing a career in the media and entertainment industry. This scholarship will cover the entire course fees, with only the government mandated tax being charged.

The scholarship is named after Dale Bhagwagar, India’s most famous publicist and crisis management expert, who recently conducted a captivating Masterclass at the academy. He has over three decades of experience in the news media and heads India’s top entertainment PR agency, Dale Bhagwagar Media Group. He is known as the ‘Father of Bollywood PR’, for having started India’s first entertainment PR agency and bringing organisation and structure to PR in Bollywood.

The scholarship is a testament to Bhagwagar’s commitment to nurturing young talent and the academy’s dedication to providing quality education. The academy will either conduct a test for the two students recommended by Bhagwagar, or accept his direct nomination of two deserving candidates.

The ‘Media Skills – New York Academy’ offers courses that are certified based on blockchain credentials, ensuring their recognition in 193 countries. Moreover, all courses include an AI awareness program and business coaching, equipping students with the necessary skills to become successful entrepreneurs in the media industry.

During his Masterclass, Bhagwagar shared his wealth of knowledge with the students, discussing the intricacies of handling celebrity events and media interactions effectively. He also shared valuable insights about the media and entertainment industry, known only to insiders. The PR guru emphasized the importance of maintaining ethical standards in the news media, a principle he refers to as his “balancing act” in PR.

The students were mesmerised by Bhagwagar’s insights and expressed their eagerness for continued guidance. In a rare gesture, Bhagwagar extended his support by sharing his contact information with the students, encouraging them to reach out for advice and guidance as they embark on their professional journeys.

The ‘Media Skills – New York Academy’ also honoured Dale Bhagwagar with the ‘No.1 PR in India’ award. This prestigious accolade recognizes Bhagwagar’s extraordinary contribution to the news media industry over the past three decades and his standing as the most trusted publicist in the country. The award further cements Bhagwagar’s reputation as a leading figure in the Indian entertainment industry and underscores the academy’s commitment to acknowledging and celebrating excellence in the field of media and PR.

The ‘Media Skills – New York Academy’, founded in 2018, is a pioneer in media courses pertaining to VR, AR, and AI technologies in broadcasting, TV, films, music, entertainment and business management. The academy is committed to providing comprehensive, hands-on training in media skills to help students achieve their professional goals.

With the introduction of the ‘Dale Bhagwagar Media Arts Scholarship’, the academy has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering creativity, innovation and ethical practices in the media industry. This initiative is set to provide a platform to deserving students to propel their careers in the media and entertainment industry under the guidance of one of Indian film industry’s most respected, prolific and renowned publicists.

The Indian Public Relations (PR) industry is undergoing a significant transformation in the age of Google algorithms and artificial intelligence. The global PR market has expanded, and PR agencies, the vital players in this field, boast of rapid changes, disruptions and growth.

The industry has seen a steady annual revenue growth rate, along with an increase in reach. The shift from traditional to new media platforms has enabled direct interaction with target audiences, driving the demand for PR services.

Mumbai and Delhi remain the hubs of PR activities in India, hosting many leading public relations agencies. According to the PR industry trade website PR Agencies in Mumbai, India’s top PR agencies are not only adapting to change but also leading it.

Apart from corporate PR agencies, the Bollywood Publicity trade website points out that Bollywood PR agencies in Mumbai have also embraced innovation and adaptability, focusing on crafting narratives that resonate with audiences and perform well in search results. The agencies specialize in reputation management and are innovating in consumer-focused campaigns.

The corporate and entertainment PR agencies symbolize the dynamic and promising future of the public relations industry in India and beyond, with the media, communication, and reputation management market projected to scale even greater heights in the next decade. They offer a masterclass in modern PR, demonstrating that the future of PR isn’t just about adapting to change but about leading it.

Edelman India [Corporate PR agency]

Edelman India is a leading global communications firm that partners with many of the world’s largest and emerging businesses and organizations. The company was founded in 1952 by Daniel Edelman and reportedly has over 6,000 employees in over 60 offices worldwide.

Edelman is committed to being a responsible global citizen and has made changes in the past year to achieve sustainability goals in the future. The company’s profound knowledge and confidence underscores the expectation for businesses and brands to exercise their power to make societal change. Edelman’s Future of Corporate Communications study examines the current state, evolution, and forward focus of the corporate communications function and how it is poised for the future.

The PR industry is changing, and Edelman is committed to staying ahead of the curve by identifying and developing the talent of the future. With the demand for PR management services increasing over the last few years, India is a very lucrative market for any company, and Edelman India is poised for growth in the coming years.

Adfactors PR [Corporate PR agency]

Adfactors PR, established in 1997, stands as one of India’s preeminent independent PR consultancies, celebrated for its outstanding track record in effectively meeting the demands of intricate and challenging PR assignments. This multi-specialist, full-service agency caters to a vast clientele of more than 500 retained clients sprawled across 40 cities in India, encompassing an array of prominent corporations, conglomerates, financial institutions, government bodies, and burgeoning startups.

Notably, Adfactors PR has been the recipient of numerous prestigious awards, underscoring its commitment to excellence. It secured the title of South Asia Agency of the Year at PR Awards Asia for four consecutive years and clinched the coveted Asia-Pacific Corporate-PA Consultancy of the Year by PRovoke Media. These accolades attest to the agency’s unwavering dedication to achieving and maintaining the highest standards of PR service.

With an eye towards the future, Adfactors PR is steadily advancing its growth and expanding its service portfolio. It recently entered into a strategic partnership with WOW Skin Science, a move aimed at bolstering its market positioning and driving sustained growth. Furthermore, the agency successfully secured the public relations mandate of Eveready India, where it will provide invaluable strategic counsel, media relations, influencer engagement, and related services.

Committed to staying ahead of the curve, Adfactors PR is actively exploring the transformative potential of artificial intelligence within the Indian PR landscape. By harnessing the power of AI, the agency is poised to future-proof its operations, ensuring it continues to deliver exceptional value and earned influence to its esteemed clients. As it steers through the evolving landscape of PR, Adfactors PR remains firmly dedicated to its mission of redefining and shaping the industry.

Madison PR [Corporate PR agency]

Madison PR, a rapidly growing public relations agency based in India, derives its inspiration from Madison World, a renowned 360-degree communication group. Established as an independent Indian agency, Madison PR has earned a respected position within the industry. It is an integral part of the Madison World group, which encompasses Madison Media, a specialized media agency dedicated to media planning and buying for prominent blue-chip clients.

Madison World aspires to be recognized as the premier communications agency, leveraging its wealth of insights, wisdom, proficiency, creativity, and environmental awareness, all delivered in a sustainable manner. With an extensive team of over 1,250 communication professionals spread across multiple offices in India, Madison World is a force to be reckoned with.

Madison Media, a subsidiary of Madison World, has received accolades for its exceptional work. It was ranked as the 2nd most Admired Media Agency in India by the Economic Times Brand Equity Ad Agency Reckoner. Moreover, in 2020, RECMA placed Madison Media among the leading five global independent agencies worldwide, further validating its global impact.

Madison PR not only excels in PR services but also offers a comprehensive media training capsule and a cutting-edge design cell, showcasing its commitment to innovation and staying at the forefront of the industry.

In conclusion, Madison Communication India is well-prepared for the future, boasting a strong reputation and a diverse range of services that cater to the evolving needs of the communications and media landscape. This makes it a formidable player in the Indian and global market.

Dale Bhagwagar Media Group [Entertainment PR agency]

Dale Bhagwagar Media Group is at the top of the list of entertainment PR agencies based in Mumbai, India. This agency specializes in Bollywood PR and Lifestyle PR and even invented the Music PR segment in the Indian film industry.

It has adopted futuristic PR practices such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning, data-driven PR, cloud networking, content personalization to reach highly targeted audiences through SEO, GPT search optimization and crisis management.

The PR agency is led by Dale Bhagwagar, who is widely recognized as the best celebrity publicist in India, known for his ability to increase his clients’ profits through consistent branding. Most famously known as Bollywood’s only PR guru, Dale Bhagwagar has over three decades of experience in news media and has introduced most of the top PR trends in the entertainment industry.

He has handled PR for famous Indian film superstars such as Hrithik Roshan, Shilpa Shetty and Priyanka Chopra, establishing his reputation as the best in the entertainment PR business. He has handled the news media publicity for successful Hindi films like the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Don and Farhan Akhtar-starrer Rock On!!

Dale Bhagwagar Media Group also runs a division called Hybrid Media, which is India’s first futuristic agency combining an intelligent combo of branded content marketing along with earned organic PR coverage. The public relations expert spearheads BollywoodPR.in, the premier authoritative PR website of the Indian entertainment industry. The news media has consistently touted Dale Bhagwagar as the most trusted publicist in Bollywood.

MSL Group [Corporate PR agency]

MSL Group India is a vital component of Publicis Groupe‘s extensive public relations and integrated communications network, renowned as one of the world’s largest and most influential. This agency is characterized by its relentless dedication to producing innovative and groundbreaking work that not only makes a significant difference to businesses but also leaves an indelible mark on the global stage. MSL India is a conglomerate that comprises three distinguished brands: MSL India, 20:20 MSL, and PCA. These entities are unified in their commitment to offering strategic guidance, fostering creativity, and fiercely advocating for their clients’ interests.

Under the adept leadership of Amit Misra, MSL India has enjoyed over eight years of growth and achievement. Amit’s recent appointment as the CEO of MSL South East Asia signals the agency’s commitment to pursuing further expansion, thereby solidifying its footprint in a highly dynamic and promising region. The MSL Group is not just an organization; it is a global assembly of contemporary communicators dedicated to sculpting the brands and leaders of tomorrow. Their unwavering passion lies in reshaping and advancing the public relations industry and harnessing its transformative potential.

MSL Group India is optimally positioned to embrace the future. With a relentless focus on delivering impactful work and a strategic commitment to expanding its presence in the South East Asia markets, the agency is poised to continue pushing boundaries and leaving an indelible mark on the ever-evolving landscape of global communications. Through dedication, creativity, and a global perspective, MSL Group India is set to grow inspite of the complex challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

BCW India [Corporate PR agency]

BCW India is a leading public relations and communications agency in India that offers a complete range of communication services, including public relations, corporate communications, public affairs, issues and crisis management, digital and creative strategies with adeptness across a wide range of industries, including finance, the service sector, fashion, beauty, lifestyle, sports and more.

The agency was founded by Prema Sagar in 1992 and has been pushing boundaries and setting benchmarks through curiosity, vision, drive, and integrity to deliver integrated communications for clients and move people. BCW has a strong South Asia network with offices in six metros and a strong affiliate footprint in over 200 cities across India and neighbouring countries, including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar.

In 2020, Genesis BCW and Six Degrees BCW integrated to form BCW India, which will number 455 people in total and become India’s third-largest PR agency. The integration sees the two brands come together under the BCW India business group. BCW India is poised for the future with its integrated approach and commitment towards pushing boundaries to provide outstanding counsel to build, nurture and protect clients’ reputation.

The agency’s CEO, Deepshikha Dharmaraj, has also talked about the evolution of the PR industry, digital orientation, CSR firms, data overload and more, which shows the agency’s focus on staying ahead of the curve.

Perfect Relations [Corporate PR agency]

Perfect Relations, a renowned public relations agency, has been a prominent player in India for over three decades. Established more than 30 years ago, this agency has steadily climbed the ladder of success. With a strong presence in 14 major Indian cities, as well as extending its reach to Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh, Perfect Relations has demonstrated a profound commitment to the South Asian region.

India, as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, is on an upward trajectory, with ambitious plans to attain high middle-income status by 2047. As the country’s economic landscape evolves, there is an increasing demand for professional image management services, and Perfect Relations is perfectly positioned to cater to this need.

This agency, often hailed as South Asia’s largest broad-spectrum advisory in professional image management, has been an esteemed partner to numerous organizations, assisting them in crafting and maintaining a positive image in a dynamic and competitive business environment.

As India’s economy continues to expand and its relationships with neighbouring countries evolve, Perfect Relations is primed to adapt and evolve along with it. The agency’s commitment to providing cutting-edge advisory services is unwavering, ensuring that its clients receive effective solutions tailored to the changing landscape.

With a reputation for excellence and a deep understanding of the intricacies of the South Asian market, Perfect Relations is set to continue its impressive journey of contributing to the success of businesses and organizations in the region.

Summing it up:

To sum it up, the Indian Public Relations (PR) industry is at the cusp of a transformative era, marked by the advent of Google algorithms and artificial intelligence. This dynamic shift in the global PR scene has brought about rapid changes, disruptions and unprecedented growth, reflecting the industry’s adaptability and innovation.

Mumbai and Delhi remain the vibrant epicenters of PR activities in India, housing some of the nation’s leading PR agencies. These agencies are not merely adapting to change; they are driving it forward, setting new benchmarks for the industry.

Some of the top corporate as well as entertainment PR agencies have embraced innovation and adaptability, specializing in crafting narratives that resonate with audiences and perform well in search results. Their emphasis on reputation management and consumer-focused campaigns exemplifies the industry’s forward-looking nature.

Each agency highlighted in this article, including Edelman India, Adfactors PR, Madison PR, Dale Bhagwagar Media Group, MSL Group, BCW India and Perfect Relations, brings a unique blend of experience, expertise, innovation and adaptability to the table. They are well-prepared for the evolving PR scenario, offering diverse services that cater to the changing needs of the communication and media industry.

As India’s economy continues to grow and its global connections expand, these agencies are set to remain at the forefront of the PR sector, helping organizations tackle the complexities of the modern business environment. In a world of effective communication and reputation and perception management, these PR agencies are true champions of progress and transformation, making them integral players in both the Indian and global PR market.

Rains continued to lash Mumbai and its surroundings since dawn as schools and colleges were ordered shut after an IMD Mumbai Red alert was sounded and two persons killed in rain-related deaths, officials said here on Thursday. Many areas of the city like Churchgate, Byculla, Worli, Bandra, Chembur, Ghatkopar, Kurla, Santacruz, Andheri, Malad, Bhandup and other areas received heavy showers since morning.

#MumbaiRains | #IMD issues #RedAlert; schools, colleges to remain shut

Catch the day's latest news ➠ https://t.co/RT2U7Mwlcy pic.twitter.com/VUkYhh3O2E

— Economic Times (@EconomicTimes) July 27, 2023

The overnight rainfall recorded till 8 am was – City 112.25 mm, Eastern suburbs 104.45 mm and Western suburbs 116.42 mm, according to the BMC Disaster Control. The IMD has forecast “heavy to very heavy rain in the city and suburbs with the possibility of occasional gusty winds reaching 45-55 kmph” for the day. Following a Red alert declared late on Wednesday night, the BMC and state government ordered the closure of all public-private schools and colleges today to ensure the safety of students.

In Thane, a motorcyclist reportedly skid on a wet stretch, lost control and was trapped and crushed to death between the wheels of a container truck on the Ghodbunder Road. A woman was killed when a wall collapsed at her home in Kolhapur this morning during a downpour. Besides Mumbai, Ratnagiri, Pune, Satara, Chandrapur and Gadchiroli are also issued a Red alert today, as per the IMD. Though there are no disruptions of suburban rail services, roads and highways in Mumbai witnessed slow-moving traffic with snarls reported in different parts of the city.

For Friday, the IMD has given an Orange alert in Raigad, Ratnagiri, Pune and Satara, though the situation is likely to ease over the weekend. Fishermen on the coastal Konkan region have been advised against venturing into the high seas till July 30 as there will be heavy rains with strong winds touching upto 55-kmph during the period.

Rains kept lashing the nation, with a cloudburst being reported from Kupwara in Jammu & Kashmir and rivers overflowing in Uttarakhand as a result of heavy precipitation. Following incessant rainfall, the Ganga River witnessed a rise in the water level and was flowing slightly above the danger mark in Haridwar, a senior official said. Even though the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasted substantial rainfall for western and central India in the coming days, several Gujarati towns like Rajkot and Gir Somnath remain underwater.

Cars floating on flood water in a street after heavy rains in Junagadh, Gujarat, India pic.twitter.com/KmJRIghval

— Eliteworld (@eliteworldwaves) July 22, 2023

In four districts of Kerala, a holiday has been declared for Tuesday as the IMD has forecast thunderstorms for the majority of the state from July 23 to July 26 for the districts of Wayanad, Kozhikode, Kannur, and Malappuram. There will be a temporary disruption of electricity in some areas and possible damage to roads, weak structures and uprooting of trees, authorities said. According to reports, so far four people have died in rain-related incidents in the state.

In Bengaluru, the weatherman has forecast cloudy skies with the possibility of light to moderate rain. Surface winds are likely to be strong and gusty at times.

After a brief respite on Monday, Mumbai was given an “orange” alert on July 25, signifying another day of severe rain. The Santacruz IMD base weather station recorded 101mm of rain in the 24 hours ending at 8:30 am on Monday, however only 23mm of rain fell from that time until 5:30 pm. Most parts of the city witnessed overcast sky, but no rain since early Tuesday morning. After a heavy downpour last week, the rain intensity reduced in Mumbai since Sunday. In some parts of Mumbai, the sun briefly came out of the clouds on Monday.

Netflix subscribers and fans of filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali are eagerly awaiting the release of his upcoming web-series Heeramandi. Bhansali, known for his grandeur and cinematic style is set to bring his signature flair to OTT with this series about the lives of courtesans in pre-independence India.

The streaming platform shared the teaser of Heeramandi with the caption, “Another time, another era, another magical world created by Sanjay Leela Bhansali we can’t wait to be a part of. Here is a glimpse into the beautiful and intriguing world of #Heeramandi. Coming soon!”

Another time, another era, another magical world created by Sanjay Leela Bhansali that we can’t wait to be a part of. Here is a glimpse into the beautiful world of #Heeramandi 💫

Coming soon! pic.twitter.com/tv729JHXOE

— Netflix India (@NetflixIndia) February 18, 2023

The excitement surrounding Heeramandi reached a fever pitch recently with the release of the first look teaser. It features a unique star cast, including Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, Sharmin Segal and Sanjeeda Shaikh. The video provides a glimpse into the intricate and beautiful world that Bhansali has created.

A company that has had the privilege of working closely with Bhansali on this project is Da Makeup Lab. The studio, which specializes in makeup, hair and prosthetics, has collaborated with Bhansali on three of his films namely Gangubai Kathiawadi, Padmaavat and Bajirao Mastani.

The team at Da Makeup Lab could not contain their excitement after seeing the teaser for Heeramandi. Taking to Instagram, they shared a photo of some of the makeup and prosthetics they created for the series, along with a caption expressing their joy at being part of such an exciting project. The studio’s post on Instagram read, “The artistry of Sanjay Leela Bhansali combined with the grace of this cast, is an explosion we were not prepared for. We’ve loved designing these looks, hope you enjoy watching them too!”

 

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A post shared by Da MakeUp Lab (@damakeuplab)

Apart from the three prestigious projects with Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Da Makeup Lab’s impressive portfolio also includes character designs for several successful movies such as Mom, Chhichhore, Bala, Mulk, Andhadhun, Pati Patni Aur Woh, Haider, Rangoon, Romeo Akbar Walter, Bachchhan Paandey, Bunty Aur Babli 2, Chup: Revenge of the Artist and Pushpa: The Rise. The lab is now working on Pushpa’s sequel titled Pushpa: The Rule.

Da Makeup Lab is headed by National Award-winning character designer Preetisheel Singh D’souza and her partner-husband, Mark D’souza and is based at the high-profile Versova locality of Mumbai.

The success streak of India’s No.1 hair, makeup and prosthetic studio Da Makeup Lab (DML) has been no less than amazing. The outfit, run by the National Award-winning character designer Preetisheel Singh D’souza along with her partner-husband Mark D’souza, is a state-of-the-art studio situated in the upmarket Mumbai suburbs of Versova.

DML has provided its services for some of the biggest box-office blockbusters including movies such as Bajirao Mastani, Padmaavat, Chhichhore, Housefull 4, Bigil, Master, Gangubai Kathiawadi and Pushpa: The Rise.

But that doesn’t stop Team DML from constantly experimenting and upping the bar. Moving like an unstoppable juggernaut, the studio keeps creating and innovating at a pace like no other.

Check out the studio’s Instagram page and you will realize the quantity of unique projects they are working on. Here are a few from their monthly activities.

One of the most interesting things DML has done in recent times is the wounded warrior look of Shah Rukh Khan in the upcoming film Jawan. SRK’s unique character with his bandaged and bruised look in the teaser has definitely got fans excited and curious.

 

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A post shared by Da MakeUp Lab (@damakeuplab)

In fact, DML has designed all the characters for Jawan directed by the famous Atlee. This is also the first time the studio is working with Shah Rukh Khan.

 

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A post shared by Da MakeUp Lab (@damakeuplab)

Talking about variety of character designs, yet another interesting flick to watch out for, is Cobra. In this Tamil action-thriller, Southern superstar Chiyaan Vikram will be seen in many astonishing avatars designed by DML.

 

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A post shared by Da MakeUp Lab (@damakeuplab)

Even the new poster of Cobra is no less stunning. Sporting a retro avatar here, Vikram is seen adorning a funky printed shirt with suspender pants, stylish glasses and hair tied backwards, adding just the right amount of retro vibe to his overall ensemble.

 

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A post shared by Da MakeUp Lab (@damakeuplab)

DML recently created a stubbled look for Ranveer Singh for a quirky character of a salesman he plays in advertisements for the fish and meat delivery marketplace FreshToHome. Check one of the ads here:

 

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But that’s not all. As a regular practice, DML keeps working on different experimental projects as a warming-up for the lab’s in-house team. And some of these projects are really interesting and intriguing. Like the creation of this cute silicone baby prop. It’s really fascinating to see how a mould is filled up, followed by the process of unveiling the prop.

 

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A post shared by Da MakeUp Lab (@damakeuplab)

A similar video about how a body double prop is created for movies. Just imagine the scenes in movies where such props come of immense use.

 

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A post shared by Da MakeUp Lab (@damakeuplab)

And last but not the least, is this scary prosthetic character of a tantric-turned-rakshasa created for Qayamat Ki Raat on Star Plus. As the Insta video caption goes, there is “terror in his eyes and evil in his bones!” You gotta see it to believe it.

 

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Recently, journalist and film reviewer Anupama Chopra revealed on Twitter that she got a message from a PR agency, asking if she does paid reviews.

Her tweet said:

“Got this text today from a PR firm. Am still processing. #wanttoweep

Hello

Hope your doing well.

I am X from X. Wanted to check if you are open to do paid movie reviews.

If yes, request you to please let me know how we can go about it.

Regards” (sic)

Got this text today from a PR firm. Am still processing. #wanttoweep

Hello
Hope your doing well.
I am X from X. Wanted to check if you are open to do paid movie reviews.
If yes, request you to please let me know how we can go about it.

Regards

— Anupama Chopra (@anupamachopra) June 21, 2022

There was a big hype over this on Twitter as well as a lot of news articles in the media over it. However, we feel that when film review manipulations are done by top Bollywood publicists, the PRs simply go ahead and get them done with clout or PR pressure. Most of the time (unless the PRs are rookies), they don’t go about inquiring from journalists if it can be done.

We are reminded of the first time such a PR manipulation happened in a film review, some fifteen years ago. Yes, it started back then! And the PR guy who manipulated a film review for the first time even publicly admitted to the spin move. His name is Dale Bhagwagar and he is currently famous as

Over the years, the entertainment publicist has handled the publicity for over 300 personalities, 30 movies and 20 Bigg Boss contestants. His Mumbai-based entertainment PR agency Dale Bhagwagar Media Group has been at the forefront of the Bollywood PR brigade for more than two decades.

It so happened that at an early stage of his PR career, Dale did not like a few lines written about an actress PR client by reviewer Subhash K Jha in a film review on a website.

He felt that the reviewer Jha had written them out of bias and prejudice towards him as the said reviewer did not vibe with him. So the publicist got in touch with the site and got the lines about the actress changed from negative to positive.

But he did not stop at that. He went ahead and informed the media about it. Woah! There was a lot of ruckus about his PR control tactic. A publicist had interfered in a film review for the first time then. There were reactions from some film industry folks.

Responding to a question about this, veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt had said, “There is a market force which controls every industry, and the newspaper industry is no different. Media is supposed to be the watchdog of the society but unfortunately, now it has become the lap dog of power. But there are exceptions. There are some journalists who still care about moral standards.”

There were more reactions. “I think the Government of India should intervene and a line should be drawn. The way there is censorship in films, we have to have some kind of censorship in media too. Journalists need to refrain from damaging reputations of actors. Then such PR manipulations won’t happen,” actor Shakti Kapoor had said.

Noted actor Anupam Kher had retorted, “Times are changing, and so are a whole of aspects in journalism. I am not even aware if PRs are actually making changes in articles and reviews. I’m surprised to hear about their influence from you. But if this is the case, it’s really not right.”

Fifteen years later nothing has changed since that first PR manipulation of a film review. With the advent of Paid News things have gotten worse. In fact, Bollywood publicist Dale Bhagwagar is now ruling the roost in the Bollywood PR industry, being one of the market leaders in his profession.

The celebrity publicist says that “journalistic ethics have fallen to the extent that some journalists eat out of the PRs palms.” Dale points out that “since the advent of Paid News, many journalists are in a sorry state and not as respected as before.”

“Please understand things from the correct perspective. It’s part of a PRs job to plan, plant and plug content. Propaganda and manufacturing consent is what publicists do. Public relations professionals are known to manipulate and spin. That’s their job. That’s not the problem here,” points out the Bollywood PR expert.

“The problem is that because of Paid News the ethics in journalism have gone for a toss. It’s the news media who have made PRs more influential by introducing Paid News in India. So calling out PRs for trying their luck to manipulate film reviews is interesting, but not fair on publicists,” Dale explains.

What can we say here! This guy is known to talk the talk. As usual, he does have a point here. And a very strong one.

Car insurance companies are normally signed on by customers over an assurance that when the vehicles have an issue or problem. The insurance companies check their claim and provide them insurance cover.

However, a recent claim of a customer (name withheld) with Honda car No MH02CP6992 is learnt to have faced an ironical issue with Solitaire Honda, a Navnit Group Company promoted by Krish Cars Private Limited, which provides support with car servicing and insurance matters in Mumbai.

According to the customer, the car was submitted for car servicing and insurance related work at the Borivali showroom of Solitaire Honda which handles work related to sales, service and spares. But an insurance adviser executive named Sujit Samant informed the customer that no cashless insurance is available with them from Tata AIG insurance anymore. The customer was told that the Tata AIG insurance company was having issues with their car service facility over the same.

“When I took my car to the facility, the person kept talking tough, and with a high-handed attitude,” says the customer. “Some car owners can get completely dependent on the service centers, once they hand over their car for servicing and insurance, and some people and centers may exploit this dependence to earn more,” feels the customer.

The customer isn’t aware about issues Solitaire Honda / Krish Cars may be having with Tata AIG General Insurance Company. But the service center refusing to provide cashless insurance has caused much distress and disappointment to the customer who is figuring out how to take the matter forward.

The customer was asked by said Solitaire Honda personal Sujit Sawant to pay the entire money upfront and was told that he will get a refund later from Tata AIG after deductions. The insurance amount came to more than 40 thousand rupees and the customer was reluctant to pay that kind of money upfront.

When the customer informed this to the Solitaire Honda / Krish Cars personal Sujit Sawant, he told the customer that there will be a cancelling fee of Rs 2,000 the customer will have to pay, and that as the survey was already done, he will also not get any claim on the insurance of his car’s parts later.

Tata AIG General Insurance Company Limited is an Indian general insurance company and a joint venture between the Tata Group and American International Group. Tata Group holds a 74 percent stake in the insurance venture with AIG holding the balance of 26 percent.

Solitaire Honda is a contemporary facility, situated in the Western Region of Mumbai. Solitaire Honda is part of the Navnit Group, promoted by Krish Cars Private Limited and has been trading since February 2009 with Krishna Navnit Kachalia and Navnit Liladhar Kachalia being its directors. Solitaire Honda has two showrooms and workshops, one at Andheri and the second at Borivali.