The new influencers? The bosses themselves
Move over, models and influencers. The newest faces of brands are the people who own them. Long before it became fashionable, Rajeev Reddy of Country Club realised there was no better ambassador for his business than himself. While others spent crores signing film stars, he took centre stage in his own campaigns. His logic was simple: Who knows the brand better than its creator? It paid off. Rajeev became almost as recognisable as Country Club itself.
Years later came Deepika Reddy of Almari, who made herself the face of her fashion store. She modelled her own collections, starred in her brand’s social media content and, in many ways, became its biggest influencer. There were plenty of raised eyebrows and more than a few sniggers initially. Today, the joke’s on the sceptics. Her approach has become the industry playbook. Now many others are doing the same. Mehnaz of Labonel was recently seen on reels showcasing her bakery; while builders — and their sons and daughters — are stepping into the spotlight to market their real estate ventures. Doctors too have been bitten by this bug.
A people’s CM
Tamil Nadu CM Vijay is winning hearts. His governance is working towards making life better for ordinary folks. First he said AC buses are not a luxury, the common man must have access to it as well. Next he said private hospitals cannot bill the family if the patient dies. High time hospitals are pulled up. Many have become heartless, money making centres. Dr Sivaranjini has been making quite a splash by calling out questionable practices in the pharmaceutical industry. She must now turn her attention to hospitals too. Call out all erring doctors and hospitals, it’s high time.
AMB’s unexpected interval block
Mahesh Babu’s AMB Cinemas is used to celebrating box-office records. This week, however, industry chatter shifted from ticket sales to tax files after reports that the GST Appellate Tribunal directed the multiplex to deposit Rs 35 lakh into the Consumer Welfare Fund. A reminder that even blockbuster brands occasionally face an unexpected off-screen plot twist.
From DNA lab to comic pages
Hyderabad’s scientific community has found a new reason to smile. A comic on the life of Dr Lalji Singh, the ‘Father of Indian DNA Fingerprinting’, is winning applause across the country. Conceptualised by DNA expert Prof Gyaneshwar Chaubey of BHU and his team, it traces Singh’s remarkable journey from Jaunpur to Hyderabad, where he pioneered indigenous DNA fingerprinting and founded institutions such as CDFD, LaCONES and Genome Foundation. For the city that became synonymous with his scientific legacy, it’s a tribute that’s both inspiring and long overdue.
Amit Garg signs off in style
One of Hyderabad’s most admired IPS officers is heading to a bigger stage. After an eventful six-year stint at the prestigious National Police Academy, Amit Garg has moved to New Delhi as Director of the National Crime Records Bureau. From modernising training programmes and sprucing up the sprawling campus to introducing pickleball courts, Garg ensured the academy evolved with the times. The crowning moment came when the NPA received the coveted “Ati Utkrusht” accreditation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Around the academy, however, many say his greatest legacy wasn't the infrastructure—it was the inspiring lectures that made generations of IPS probationers sit up, think and aspire.
Who, What, When, Where, Why
Who was seen at the Wimbledon quarterfinals in London? Tollywood actress Sreeleela. But drawing more attention than the actress was her mother! Dressed in a white pant suit and a hat, she was the headturner. In fact, may decades ago it was the heroine and her mom who were a package at every event. Sreeleela’s mom has brought back those memories — she’s the mom who no one in Tollywood dare ignore! She’s enjoying her daughter’s fame.
What is the latest feather in Dodla Deepa’s cap? She’s named as one among the top 60 Mahjong influencers in the world in 2026! Deepa has made Mahjong a household name and is being invited by people from all over the world — from Singapore to Venezuela to the US and all the Indian cities like Surat, Ahemadababd, Chennai etc — to hold Mahjong sessions.
When was actor Nagarjuna seen getting emotional? During the promotions of his son Akhil’s latest film Lenin. Sadly, every film, good or bad, has so much hardwork and emotion put into it, and the audience thrash it in 5 minutes if the film doesnt shape up well.
Where did one spot Peddi director Buchi Babu sitting like a nobody in the crowd? At one of Hamstech events. One lady was surprised when told he’s a big director! When she asked him why he’s so low profile, he replied, “Nenu chala shy andi! (I am very shy).
Why do city businessmen hover around the Reliance company’s PR person in Hyderabad, like he’s Mukesh Ambani himself!
Wicked Whisper
Gossip is two wealthy Marwari families are travelling to Dubai for an IVF procedure for the son and daughter-in-law that reportedly permits gender selection too. Even today, the obsession for a male child continues.