Business

Swiggy Dineout Taps Bhuvan Bam for GIRF 2026; ‘Bill Half. Party Full.’ Takes Over India


Swiggy Dineout has officially announced the return of its flagship dining celebration, the Great Indian Restaurant Festival (GIRF) 2026, bringing with it bigger offers, wider reach, and a strong cultural connect. Spearheaded by Swiggy Limited, this year’s edition promises to transform how India dines out, making it more accessible, affordable, and enjoyable.

At the heart of GIRF 2026 is its collaboration with digital creator Bhuvan Bam, who joins as the official ambassador. Known for his iconic work through BB Ki Vines, Bhuvan brings a unique storytelling element to the campaign. Popular characters like Babloo, Babli, and Sameer are woven into the narrative, representing relatable dining personalities seen across India.

The campaign revolves around the simple yet impactful theme: “Bill Half. Party Full.” It captures a universal truth—while dining out is a joyful experience, the cost often becomes a limiting factor. By addressing this barrier, GIRF 2026 aims to encourage consumers to step out more often, celebrate freely, and explore diverse culinary experiences.

Starting February 15, 2026, and running for two months, the festival offers up to 50% discounts across more than 40,000 restaurants in over 60 cities. The offers span across cafés, pubs, bars, fine-dining establishments, and family restaurants, ensuring something for every kind of diner.

In addition to the headline discounts, users can avail extra benefits including a 10% instant discount on HDFC Bank cards and 10% cashback as Dinecash on bookings. These added incentives further enhance the value proposition, making dining out both rewarding and economical.

GIRF 2026 also introduces engaging elements like “Crazzzy Deals of the Day,” complimentary cocktails and mocktails at select venues, and extended happy hours—designed to elevate the overall dining experience.

The festival is not limited to metro cities alone. While major hubs like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Chennai remain key markets, GIRF also extends to emerging food destinations such as Goa, Jaipur, Indore, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Coimbatore, and Udaipur. This widespread reach highlights Swiggy’s ambition to democratize dining experiences across India.

With participation from leading brands including Cafe Coffee Day, Barista, Punjab Grill, YouMee, and Good Flippin Burgers, GIRF 2026 stands as one of the largest and most inclusive dining festivals in the country.

Blending food, culture, and digital storytelling, GIRF 2026 is more than just a discount event—it is a celebration of India’s evolving dining culture, where affordability meets experience, and every meal becomes an occasion.

Human Interest

Guide for Newlyweds: Choosing Home Appliances That Elevate Your Space


The ongoing wedding season marks a beautiful beginning for couples setting up their first home together. Beyond functionality, modern homeowners are increasingly focused on creating spaces that reflect their shared personality and aesthetic preferences. Every element of the home, from furniture to fans, fabrics to finishes, contributes to an environment that is both comfortable and visually appealing. Among these, home appliances are emerging as pivotal elements in home design. Choosing appliances that not only offer comfort but also harmonize with interiors can significantly elevate the aesthetics of a home.

Today, appliances are no longer purely functional. Kitchens and living areas, which often occupy pride of place in modern homes, are now designed as open, connected spaces, making it essential for appliances to complement décor rather than stand apart. Even bedrooms, where comfort is paramount, can benefit from appliances that blend seamlessly with furnishings and color schemes. This has inspired a new generation of design-led appliances that marry functionality with style.

Homes inspired by nature can particularly benefit from appliances with wood-finish designs. Air conditioners, refrigerators, and other appliances with natural textures and warm earthy tones complement furniture, flooring, and décor elements to create a harmonious and inviting environment. This approach offers a refreshing alternative to conventional metallic or glossy finishes, adding timeless charm to contemporary interiors.

Colour and finish are also critical in shaping the visual harmony of a home. Neutral tones such as white, beige, grey, or black exude elegance, while pastels and metallics like champagne gold or silver offer sophistication and style. Modern ACs, refrigerators, and washing machines come in a variety of finishes—from glass and steel to wooden textures—allowing couples to coordinate or contrast appliances tastefully with cabinetry, wall shades, or flooring. Thoughtful colour and finish choices can transform appliances into striking focal points that enhance the overall décor.

Minimalist design remains a favorite among young homeowners. Clean lines, clutter-free spaces, and discreet handles help appliances integrate naturally with the architecture, creating serene and timeless interiors. Sleek AC panels, ergonomic washing machine designs, and refined refrigerator doors all contribute to a sense of calm and harmony, enhancing the overall living experience.

Importantly, modern appliances not only elevate aesthetics but also incorporate advanced technologies such as AI, smart controls, and energy-efficient features. These innovations provide comfort, convenience, and improved performance while complementing the visual appeal of the home.

For newlyweds, building a first home is about blending love, design, and comfort. With the right combination of design, colour palette, finishes, and technology, everyday living can become a shared, joyous experience. Thoughtfully designed appliances ensure that great design is not just seen, but felt in every corner of the home, making the journey together even more memorable.

Special Occasion

Celebrate National Princess Day: Be Royal for a Day!


Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

National Princess Day is a celebration of imagination, confidence, and the belief that anyone can feel like royalty for a day. It is dedicated to the idea that a princess can come from anywhere and that true royalty shines through kindness, authenticity, and joy. Many people dream of being a princess or meeting one, and this holiday taps into that timeless sense of wonder. It invites everyone to pamper themselves, embrace their fabulous side, and let a little fairytale magic into their lives.

For many, the world of princesses begins with beloved characters like Snow White, who first graced screens in 1937. Since then, countless princesses—from Rapunzel to Sleeping Beauty, and more recently Elsa and Moana—have captured hearts around the world. These modern heroines teach that being a princess isn’t just about beauty but also courage, independence, and staying true to who you are.

While most people associate princesses with Disney, National Princess Day was actually created by Nest Family Entertainment and Rich Animation Studios, the team behind The Swan Princess. Based on the Russian folk tale of Swan Lake, this hand-drawn animated franchise grew into a series of films that inspired a holiday devoted to imagination and joy. Their aim was to help children and adults alike celebrate the kindness, creativity, and magic that princess characters often embody.

There are countless ways to enjoy National Princess Day. Some choose to host dress-up parties, reenact fairytales, or put on small theatre performances at home. Adults may celebrate by discussing real historical princesses who made an impact, or by watching favorite films and documentaries about royalty, including those inspired by Princess Diana, whose legacy continues to touch hearts around the world. Others might plan princess-themed gatherings with sparkling décor, pink cocktails, crowns, or simply moments of self-care that make them feel cherished.

Whatever the activity, the purpose of the day remains the same: to celebrate the magic within yourself. It’s a reminder to stand tall, move with grace, speak with confidence, and embrace everything that makes you special. National Princess Day invites everyone to live with a little more sparkle and to honor the princesses—real or imagined—who inspire us every day.

Business

Ranveer Singh Unveils ‘Rangeela Vodka’: A Vivid, High-Energy Take on Luxury Spirits


Ranveer Singh, Bollywood’s undisputed king of colour and charisma, has stepped into the world of luxury spirits with the launch of Rangeela Vodka — a brand that perfectly captures his electrifying persona.

From the first look, Rangeela Vodka stands out. The bottle design is drenched in vibrant hues, bold typography, and playful energy — a reflection of Ranveer’s signature fashion aesthetic and fearless personality.

Crafted for those who love life in full colour, the vodka is positioned as more than just a beverage. It’s an immersive lifestyle experience — one that celebrates self-expression, celebration, and joy.

“Rangeela Vodka is for the bold, the spirited, and the unapologetically fun,” the brand notes, highlighting its mission to inject personality into every pour.

With India’s celebrity-led spirit market expanding rapidly, Ranveer’s entry marks a colourful new chapter — and one that’s likely to make waves among both fans and connoisseurs.

Whether enjoyed at parties, private gatherings or stylish home bars, Rangeela Vodka promises a technicolor twist to luxury.

Cheers to a sip that’s as loud, lively and unforgettable as the man behind it.

Entertainment

Ajith Kumar Graces The Hollywood Reporter India Cover: Where Speed Meets Stillness


In a visual narrative that fuses motion with mindfulness, The Hollywood Reporter India has unveiled its November 2025 cover featuring Tamil superstar Ajith Kumar — and it’s nothing short of striking. Photographed by Ben Cope at the Dubai Autodrome, the image captures Ajith leaning casually against a fiery red McLaren, dressed in a pristine white racing suit that gleams under the desert light. The tagline across the cover — “speed and stillness coexist” — could not have been more apt for a man whose life perfectly balances adrenaline with introspection.

Ajith Kumar’s career has long defied conventional definitions. With over 60 films spanning genres and decades, he has built a cinematic legacy defined by precision, grace, and authenticity. Yet away from the spotlight, his passion burns equally bright on the racetrack. As a professional racer, Ajith’s dedication is as intense as his artistry — his pursuit of excellence extending beyond scripts and sets to the roaring engines of motorsport.

In 2025, Ajith achieved a personal milestone when he secured a third-place finish in the European Endurance Championship’s AM Class, competing with his own Ajith Kumar Racing team. It was not merely a celebrity venture but a genuine, hard-earned podium — the culmination of years of discipline, strategy, and respect for the sport. This achievement, combined with his film success, embodies the unique duality that the THR India cover seeks to express: the rare harmony of thrill and tranquility.

Ben Cope’s lens brings this balance to life with cinematic precision. The Dubai Autodrome — a track that has hosted some of the most exhilarating races in the world — serves as both literal and symbolic backdrop. The gleam of the McLaren mirrors Ajith’s velocity and drive, while his composed stance reveals an almost meditative calm. Every element of the shot feels deliberate: the crisp white of his suit against the vivid red of the car, the steel-gray track beneath his feet, and the warm desert hues that blur the boundary between stillness and speed.

Ajith has often been described as an actor who lives by instinct rather than spectacle. His on-screen persona — quiet, dignified, commanding — mirrors his real-world approach to life. Off-screen, he is known for his humility, privacy, and philosophical view of success. His love of racing is not a distraction from his career but a reflection of it: both demand control, focus, and surrender to the present moment. The racetrack, like the film set, becomes a stage for self-mastery.

The Hollywood Reporter India’s November issue celebrates not just Ajith the star, but Ajith the man — someone who sees no conflict between speed and serenity, ambition and balance. The cover, while glossy and grand, carries a subtle message about identity: that one can live passionately without losing peace, chase excellence without sacrificing authenticity, and embody movement while remaining still at the core.

As the issue hits stands, the image of Ajith Kumar standing tall at the Dubai Autodrome transcends celebrity — it becomes a metaphor. It tells a story of evolution, of how a man who once ruled the screen continues to challenge himself beyond it. It’s not simply about fame or sport; it’s about a philosophy of life that understands that real power lies in equilibrium.

In the union of speed and stillness, Ajith Kumar doesn’t just race or act — he exists in perfect sync. And in doing so, he offers a timeless reminder: greatness isn’t about motion or rest alone; it’s about the grace of holding both in harmony.