From the valuation conundrum of IPO-bound companies to Manoj Bajpayee's journey in Indian film industry, here are our most popular stories of the week
1) What's in a valuation?
As stock markets skyrocketed to record levels in 2020 post-lockdown, companies rushed to get listed, but most analysts and investors felt those issues came at steep valuations. The issue has surfaced one more time after Honasa Consumer, which runs the popular personal skincare brand Mamaearth, filed its DRHP. The company is looking to raise Rs400 crore through a fresh issue of shares, apart from an offer for sale (OFS) of around 4.7 crore shares. According to a Reuters report, the company is valued at $3 billion or roughly Rs24,000 crore. Based on a net profit of Rs14 crore in FY22, its price-to-earnings (PE) ratio works out to 1,714.28 times. Mamaearth’s DRHP comes at a time when stock markets have turned volatile with the abundant liquidity drying up as central banks around the world are hiking interest rates. But what's caught the attention is the debate around the company's valuation. Read more
2) Making medicines pocket-friendly
Amit Choudhary, born in a small village in Jharkhand and raised in Kolkata, experienced medicine accessibility and affordability challenges first-hand. His cousins started an initiative called Dawai Dost in 2015 in Ranchi. He took the idea to his now team—Yash Harlalka (COO) and Anirudh Batwara (CTO)—and Dawaa Dost, an omnichannel pharmacy chain, began operations in 2018. The trio is aiming to ease India's struggles with four major issues with medication—affordability, accessibility, awareness and adherence. Their goal by 2025 is to save $1 billion for Indians. Will they succeed? Read more
3) Shefali Shah: The OTT storm
Shefali Shah began her acting journey as a child artist in the Gujarati entertainment industry. She was a soap opera darling thanks to her superhit show Hasratein when cable TV was just getting started in India. Then came Ram Gopal Varma's Satya, and you couldn't miss Shah's Pyari Mhatre in the stunning ensemble. Shah has always been around, portraying challenging roles. But it all kicked into the next gear when OTT took hold of entertainment in India. 2022 was a special year. Shah had a show or a movie release every two months, if not more. Not a single one of these roles could help you put her in a box—from Human, Darlings to Delhi Crime and Doctor G. She is reaching for the stars and you are now witness to her journey. Read more