Latest news with #RanaDaggubati
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Sreeleela gets princess treatment as birthday celebrations kick off; fans think she's getting engaged
Telugu star Sreeleela will turn 24 in just two weeks. Ahead of that, her mother planned a beautiful event to mark the occasion. The celebrations looked so stunning that fans got a little confused… is Sreeleela getting engaged? Also read: 'Same same but different': Internet says Rana Daggubati's wife Miheeka and Sreeleela 'look like twins' in adorable pics The photos show Sreeleela in a green-golden saree, decked in heavy necklaces and other ornaments. She also wore flowers in her hair. Two men carried her out in a basket as she laughed. She was also made to sit on a scale and got kisses from her family. Rana Daggubati's wife Miheeka also gave her a hug. Fans wondered what was the occasion and if the actor was getting married. She decided to give the speculation some rest. 'So back in the day this is how we celebrated birthdays at home 💛 Planning credits - Amma❤️(Prebirthday 😉)' A post shared by Sreeleela (@sreeleela14) Reactions to the post were positive. 'Most beautiful birthday Leelu mam,' read a comment. 'Awwwweee I'm so so happy when I see your happy face!!! Your smile enough to me 🤍 wish u happy b'day in advance Lee,' wrote another. 'She really got married aa..i am hearing some,' wrote a confused fan. "Sreeleela ma'am, my birthday is on June 14th. When is your marriage?" Sreeleela had a special song in Pushpa 2, Kisik. She will now make her Bollywood debut with Kartik Aaryan. The yet-to-be-titled film is being directed by Anurag Basu. In the film, Kartik will be seen donning a rugged look with long hair and a full-grown beard. The project is set to be released during Diwali 2025. The film is helmed by Sameer Vidwans, with whom Kartik previously collaborated on the 2023 romantic drama Satyaprem Ki Katha. This film is set to hit theatres on February 13, 2026, just in time for Valentine's Day. The film, produced under the banner of Dharma Productions, is expected to be a romantic comedy, although the plot details are still under wraps.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Urologist shares why young Indians are getting kidney diseases without realising it
Did you know actor Rana Daggubati received a kidney transplant a few years ago? While kidney disease doesn't typically get as much attention as the other health conditions like heart disease, in an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Santosh Gawali, senior consultant urologist and transplant surgeon at Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, shared that young people are increasingly being diagnosed with kidney ailments. Also read | Miracles of kidney transplant: Benefits, procedure, everything to know for those suffering from end-stage renal disease It's important to point out that chronic kidney disease is a broad term for a range of illnesses. Dr Gawali explains, 'Kidney ailments in young age groups can be broadly classified into congenital/ inherited causes and acquired causes. Inherited causes include early-onset hypertension, Type 1 diabetes occurring in young age groups, leading to kidney failure in the long run. The list of rare inherited disorders with renal involvement is rapidly growing due to various factors like increasing recognition by genetic testing/imaging, increased exposure to environmental toxins, maternal diet, lifestyle changes, and increasing maternal age.' He adds, 'Autoimmune Diseases such as IgA nephropathy and lupus nephritis ( SLE ) may trigger kidney inflammation, which in turn can cause chronic kidney disease (CKD). Family history also plays a major role in diseases like Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD). CKD may occur as a result of renal scarring due to recurrent urinary tract infections. Some of them may have congenital Vesicoureteric reflux disease.' According to him, acquired causes include increasing rates of obesity rates among young adults, in their 20s, 'due to modern lifestyle changes including increased exposure to fast food, high screen time, and higher stress levels'. Dr Gawali says, 'Increasing rates of smoking in young age causes early onset of hypertension and a high risk of renal cancer. Recreational drugs have been associated with irreversible kidney injury.' He adds, 'There is an increased tendency of the younger age groups for consumption of heavy protein supplements, animal protein, steroids, with reduced amounts of vegetable protein and strenous exercises, dehydration, which, along with reduced fluid intake, leads to renal damage over long run. Recurrent urinary tract infections and stone disease too cause renal damage in long run.' Dr Gawali suggests avoiding excessive protein supplements and pain killers and staying hydrated. He says, 'Diet involving increased vegetable protein intake, reduced animal protein and supplements with adequate fluid intake. Regular physical activity is beneficial for overall health Maintaining a healthy body weight can help reduce stress on the kidneys and improve overall health. Cessation of recreational drug use/ smoking/ alcohol. Avoiding excessive protein supplements, pain killers and proper water intake is also important to protect the kidneys.' Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Forbes
5 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Tequila Isn't Popular In India. A Movie Star And Musician Are Trying To Change That
Actor Rana Daggubati and musician Anirudh have launched India's first celebrity tequila with Harsha Vadlamudi (not pictured). Traditionally, tequila hasn't been popular in India. The nation is the world's largest consumer of whiskey, which accounts for close to 70% of spirit sales in the country. Tequila sales have historically lagged, but interest in the Mexican spirit is increasing, and tequila is now the fastest-growing alcohol segment in India. Two of India's biggest stars are trying to intensify that trend with India's first celebrity tequila, Loca Loka, which is available in the U.S. and India. The brand is a partnership between actor Rana Daggubati and musician Anirudh. Daggubati is known for his roles in modern classics of Indian cinema including the Baahubali series of films, which are among the highest grossing Indian films of all time. He also stars in the Netflix series Rana Naidu, an adaptation of the show Ray Donovan. Meanwhile, Anirudh is one of Spotify's top-streamed artists, is known for viral hits like 'Why This Kolaveri Di' and 'Vaathi Coming.' The entertainment stars are also working with Harsha Vadlamudi, a brewery owner and entrepreneur. During a Zoom call, the trio told me how Loca Loka tequila is steeped in their passion for this spirit. 'Most of us are extreme consumers that have become creators,' Daggubati says. 'In my life I've watched a lot of films. So I'm making the films that I've watched and I like. Anirudh has heard so much music in his life, he's creating music. And we got someone like Harsha, who's living his dream in the manner of consuming and creating.' Daggubati adds, 'across each industry, film music, F&N [food and beverage] all of us came together, and we've all been fans of tequila, and we've understood that there is a niche, and we thought that this was a niche that we could build [on].' Traditionally, Anirudh says Indian drinking culture has been all about whiskey. 'Generation after generation, that's how it's been, but I feel like the new generation now, especially the younger people, are shifting to tequila.' The first step to creating Loca Loka was developing a quality product. 'We visited almost 10 to 12 distillers around us and also around Tequila and Guadalajara. In the highlands, lowlands, and everywhere,' Vadlamudi says. 'Each distiller actually created around 6 to 8 profiles for us. So we had to narrow that down. There were around 100 to 120 profiles, we tasted.' Actor Rana Daggubati and musician Anirudh (center) have launched India's first celebrity tequila with Harsha Vadlamudi (left). Anirudh says this process was intense and immersive by design. 'Rana and I also were lucky enough to go there to our distillery to go through the process to meet the family who is making it for us [and learn] how they produce it. So there was a lot of due diligence, which was done before we got into it, and I think that is the right way to do it as well. We don't want to be just the first Indian tequila brand out there. We had to make sure that we got to do this right.' The finished products are made from 100% pure agave that is naturally fermented with a special yeast strain. The reposado is aged on French and American oak barrels for several months. Both have wide complexities of flavor, and are sure appeal to tequila fans in both the U.S. and India. The blanco tequila recently won a gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and the reposado took home a silver medal. Daggubati is particularly proud of the reposado. 'There's never enough every time there's a party at home,' he says. He adds his favorite cocktail is now a reposado Old Fashioned and that the reposado is acting as a gateway for whiskey drinkers interested in exploring tequila. 'We've been able to convert a large set of whiskey drinkers into reposado drinkers,' Daggubati says. 'That happened very organically and quickly. There's always been a finesse associated with whiskey in some manner, artisanship in some form, which I think the reposado brings out very beautifully.'
India Today
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Sunil Grover introduces multiverse of 'Naidu's' to Rana Naidu star Rana Daggubati
In a surprise crossover, Netflix shared a banter-filled promotional video that brought together Rana Daggubati's brooding on-screen persona, Rana Naidu, and Sunil Grover's signature comic chaos with his alter ego, Shana Naidu. Grover, as Shana Naidu, introduces Rana to several other variants of his character, in what can only be described as hilariously bizarre. The second season will release on June about the collaboration, Sunil Grover said, 'Rana Daggubati and I in the same frame? Even I didn't see that coming. 'Rana Naidu' is this intense, gritty world full of power moves, family drama, and action, and then I walked in with my own brand of chaos. It felt like two completely different worlds crashing together - and somehow, it just clicked.'Take a look at the promo video: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Netflix India (@netflix_in) Rana Daggubati added, 'When Sunil Grover shows up, you just know things are about to get unpredictable. One minute, I'm brooding like Rana Naidu does best, and the next, I'm dodging punchlines instead of punches. Netflix threw us into this wild little experiment - and honestly, it was chaos I didn't see coming.'advertisementHowever, the makers confirmed that Sunil will not be making a cameo in the series, calling it one of those what-is-even-happening by Sunder Aaron and Locomotive Global, Season 2 of 'Rana Naidu' is created by Karan Anshuman and directed by Anshuman, Suparn S Varma, and Abhay Chopra. The new season promises a bigger canvas and a heavier punch, with Rana and Venkatesh Daggubati returning alongside new additions like Arjun Rampal and Kriti Kharbanda, while Surveen Chawla, Sushant Singh, and Abhishek Banerjee reprise their official adaptation of the American crime drama 'Ray Donovan', the show received a strong response when Season 1 premiered in 2023. Now, with the second season arriving on June 13, expectations are high.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
How Godrej Jersey's ‘3×3 Leapfrog Strategy' drove brand growth: Shantanu Raj, head of marketing, Godrej Jersey, explains
A renowned name in the Indian dairy sector, Godrej Jersey, is achieving milestones as a brand. With the recent acquisition of a 100% stake by Godrej Agrovet in Creamline Dairy Products Limited, the brand is implementing strategic initiatives that are driving growth and positioning it as a standout success in the market. In this conversation, Shantanu Raj, Head of Marketing at Godrej Jersey, shares insights into the brand's marketing strategies, core vision, and what makes its hero product, Badam Milk, a consumer favourite. 1. With Godrej Agrovet now increasing its stake to 100% in Creamline Dairy Products Limited, what strategic shifts or new business strategies will the company implement to drive growth? The recent acquisition of a 100% stake by Godrej Agrovet in Creamline Dairy Products Limited marks a transformative milestone in our journey. Aligned with our ambitious 3x3 Leapfrog Strategy for FY26, this move underscores our commitment to redefining market expansion and consumer engagement. The strategy focuses on three flagship products—Badam Milk, Paneer, and Curd—which form the cornerstone of Godrej Jersey's vision to lead the value-added dairy portfolio in South India. Our growth plan is anchored on three key objectives: 1. Increasing household penetration by driving trials for value-added products in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana as core geography, strengthening our presence in the markets. 2. Expanding market reach for high-potential products like Badam Milk and Paneer to unlock deeper regional adoption and consumption. 3. Driving continuous product innovation to stay ahead of evolving consumer preferences and deliver superior value-added offerings with distinct benefits. To execute this effectively, we are scaling our distribution network across general trade, modern trade, e-commerce, and quick commerce platforms while increasing the number of distributor points and an improved tech-led route to the market. This comprehensive approach, supported by strategic investments and partnerships, positions us to drive consumer trials, accelerate growth, enhance product offerings, and solidify our leadership in these critical sunrise categories. 2. How does Godrej Jersey plan to use its 3x3 Leapfrog Strategy to expand market penetration and strengthen its product portfolio in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana? Our strategy focuses on expanding the value-added products portfolio by increasing household penetration and market reach. Over the next year, we aim to intensify advertising efforts in Andhra Telangana (APT) while extending our distribution network to 50,000 outlets in Telangana to boost awareness and drive product trials. Badam Milk, where we already hold market leadership in APT, continues to be a key growth driver. We are capitalising on the shift from aerated to milk-based beverages by strengthening our multi-channel presence and amplifying awareness and visibility through an impactful campaign featuring Rana Daggubati. As a prominent figure in Telugu cinema, Rana perfectly embodies the brand's values, helping us connect deeply with consumers and reinforce Badam Milk's position as a trusted and preferred choice of refreshment. Curd, with its premium consistency and home-like quality, offers significant growth potential in this moderately penetrated category. Its thick, creamy texture and no water separation—qualities highly valued by APT consumers—position it as an authentic and trusted choice for households. Paneer is another critical growth area, where we are addressing consumer challenges, particularly the lack of awareness about how to cook with Paneer. To empower consumers, we have introduced innovative 200g single-use packaging that retains softness during cooking and features QR-coded recipes by Chef Teja. His culinary expertise adds value by guiding consumers to explore versatile and easy-to-make Paneer dishes. As the second-largest Paneer player in APT, we see significant growth potential in this low-penetrated category in South Indian households. By combining data-driven consumer insights with an omnichannel approach, we aim to expand our physical footprint while building a robust ecosystem that ensures Godrej Jersey remains the trusted choice for quality dairy products across South India. 3. Badam Milk, a key hero product under the 3x3 Strategy, is set to become a ₹100 crore brand. What strategies will you deploy to achieve this and enhance its market appeal? Badam Milk, a cornerstone of our 3x3 Strategy, is pivotal to our growth in APT. To achieve the ₹100 crore milestone, we are leveraging the rapid growth of the taste-nutrition balanced milk-based beverages and the evolving consumer preferences. The Indian milk beverage market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 21.8% from CY 2023 to 2032, with South India contributing 30%, driven by rising health consciousness, disposable incomes, and demand for ready-to-drink (RTD) milk-based beverages. These trends align with Godrej Jersey Badam Milk's positioning as a healthier alternative to aerated drinks. Our high-impact campaign featuring Rana Daggubati amplifies this narrative, enhancing reach and reinforcing Badam Milk's appeal. Alongside, we are strengthening our multi-channel presence across general trade, modern trade, e-commerce, and quick commerce while deploying promotions, in-store activations, and sampling to encourage trials and repeat purchases. Looking ahead, we aim to meet evolving health-conscious preferences by exploring innovative pack sizes and formats, including no-sugar, low-sugar, high-protein, and nut-infused variants, while building newer platforms. This growth strategy underscores our commitment to staying ahead of market trends while solidifying Godrej Jersey's leadership in the ready-to-drink milk beverages category across South India. 4. What role will marketing investments, including celebrity endorsements, play in strengthening Godrej Jersey's brand presence in its focus markets? Marketing investments, including celebrity endorsements, play a pivotal role in strengthening Godrej Jersey's brand presence and driving deeper connections with our consumers in focus markets like Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Our collaboration with Rana Daggubati is a key driver of this strategy. His credibility and influence, particularly within the South Indian film industry and Telugu-speaking audiences, make him an ideal ambassador for Godrej Jersey Badam Milk. By aligning him with the core messaging of Badam Milk as the perfect refreshment for today's hectic lifestyles, we aim to enhance brand recall, trustworthiness, and consumer engagement. For the paneer category, we've partnered with Vismai Food and Chef Teja, trusted culinary influencers with strong resonance among our target audience. Research reveals that 8 out of 10 consumers recognise Vismai Food as a reliable source for culinary inspiration. Leveraging this trust, we are addressing a key consumer insight: many Hyderabad-based consumers are unfamiliar with how to cook with paneer. To bridge this gap, we are launching a digital cookbook, featuring paneer recipes curated by Chef Teja and Vismai Food, making cooking easy and accessible for all. These marketing initiatives are designed to deepen consumer awareness and engagement, boost brand loyalty, and strengthen our regional leadership, which is already supported by APT, contributing nearly 60% of our revenue. Together, these efforts will drive market share growth and category expansion, cementing Godrej Jersey's position as a trusted choice in these crucial markets. 5. Being one of the key players in South India, what is your perspective on the overall A&M landscape in the region? South India's advertising and marketing (A&M) landscape is evolving rapidly, with a strong shift towards language-first strategies and culturally resonant content. Recent studies show that 90% of Indian consumers prefer brands that communicate in their local language*, highlighting the power of vernacular messaging in building trust and engagement. This trend has driven a 2x increase in engagement rates for hyper-local advertising, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. * Cities like Hyderabad and Bangalore are emerging as key hubs for performance and influencer marketing. The influencer marketing sector in India is projected to grow at a CAGR of 18%, reaching ₹3,375 crore by 2026, with regional influencers playing a vital role in connecting brands to local audiences.* At Godrej Jersey, we embrace these trends by rooting our marketing strategies in regional insights. From leveraging vernacular content to collaborating with local influencers, we create authentic connections that resonate deeply with South Indian consumers. Our campaigns reflect the traditions, values, and aspirations of the region, enhancing brand recall and driving stronger consumer engagement. The future of A&M in South India is undeniably regional in flavour, digital in execution, and emotional in impact. Brands that align their strategies with these trends are well-positioned to lead in this dynamic market, and we are proud to be at the forefront of this transformation. *According to exchange4media reports. Disclaimer: This article has been produced on behalf of Godrej Industries Limited by Times Internet's Spotlight team.
