Some businesses begin with a breakthrough idea. Royaloak began with resilience. Long before building one of India’s largest organised furniture retail brands, brothers Vijai and Mathan Subramaniam were testing opportunities; selling tea powder, candle stands and household products, learning to adapt at every step. For Chairman and Co-Founder Vijai Subramaniam, it started with a bold gamble: selling his scooter to raise ₹28,000, borrowing from friends, and investing in a small exhibition stall, where persistence proved more valuable than any perfect plan. Joined by his younger brother Mathan, whose strengths lie in finance and strategy, the duo grew a modest venture into a nationwide brand with 200+ stores across 110+ cities. With clearly defined roles and shared intent, Royaloak now eyes nearly 400 stores and a ₹5,000-crore milestone, still grounded in resilience, clarity and trust. 1. Royaloak’s journey began long before it became a household name. How did the idea first take shape, and what made you decide to build it together as brothers? Vijai: Royaloak wasn’t born from one defining idea; it was built through persistence. Before furniture, we experimented with several small businesses, from selling tea powder and plastic household products to candle stands. There were setbacks at every stage. I had even planned to move to Singapore, but when that didn’t happen, I found myself taking up different jobs just to stay afloat. The turning point came when I took a chance on a small government exhibition stall, raising money by pledging my scooter and borrowing from friends. That experience taught us that resilience and adaptability matter more than having the perfect business plan. Mathan: Even during those early years, we knew we wanted to build something together. Being brothers meant we already had trust, honesty and a shared purpose. We challenged each other’s ideas, divided responsibilities naturally

For actress Sadaa Sayed, best known for films like Jayam, Anninyan, Aethirree, etc., gardening wasn’t a lifelong passion; it was something that gently found its way into her life, one phase at a time. What began as a quiet act of rescuing dying plants during the stillness of lockdown slowly transformed into a deeply personal journey of healing, especially after the loss of her father. Today, her balcony is a thriving sanctuary of over 200 plants, with a special love for the delicate yet resilient Hoya family. But beyond the numbers and rare collections, it’s the emotional connection that defines her space. In an exclusive tête-à-tête with M Priyanka Goud, Sadaa shares how her garden is more than just greenery; it’s where grief softened, routines found meaning, and life, in its most organic form, continued to grow.” Her journey towards gardening Gardening found me in phases. Growing up, I watched my father lovingly tend to everything, from chikoo and coconut trees to mango trees and vibrant flowering plants. But back then, I never felt that connection. Even later, in our Mumbai home, while my parents cared for hibiscus, tulsi, curry leaves, and humble money plants in our balcony, I remained a distant observer. It was only during the lockdown that something shifted. I began rescuing dying plants I’d see outside shuttered shops, bringing them home and nurturing them back to life. That’s when I discovered my love for foliage, collecting varieties like Hoya and surrounding myself with greens that felt quietly alive. Life got busy again, and I was left with only the hardy ones, money plants and philodendrons, while delicate beauties like calatheas slowly faded away. Gardening became therapy through life’s phases After losing my father, I returned to my plants in a completely different way. Repotting root-bound greens

When summer arrives in full force, so do the electricity bills. The air conditioner becomes your best friend, and also your biggest expense. But what if you could enjoy a cool, comfortable home without watching your energy costs skyrocket? The good news is, you can! With a few strategic changes and smart habits, it’s possible to reduce heat indoors while keeping AC usage efficient and affordable. Dhanush Kumar brings you a practical, lifestyle-friendly guide to staying cool without overloading your electricity bill. Block the heat before it enters The easiest way to cool your home is to stop the heat at the source. Close curtains and blinds during peak sun hours. Sunlight streaming through windows can significantly raise indoor temperatures. Use thick curtains, blackout drapes, or reflective blinds during afternoon hours. Light-coloured curtains work best as they reflect heat instead of absorbing it. Additionally, using window films, which are heat-reflective and affordable, can reduce solar heat gain without darkening your home too much. Switch to Energy-Efficient Lighting Traditional incandescent bulbs generate heat. Switching to LED lights not only lowers electricity consumption but also keeps rooms cooler. LED bulbs consume less energy and emit minimal heat, a small change that makes a noticeable difference during peak summer. TIPS Let Air Circulate Naturally Good airflow reduces dependence on air conditioning. Cross Ventilation is Key Open windows early morning and late evening when temperatures are lower. Allow fresh air to circulate naturally. Use Ceiling Fans Smartly Ceiling fans don’t cool the air; they circulate it. But that circulation helps sweat evaporate faster, making you feel cooler. Pro tip: Set ceiling fans to rotate counter clockwise in summer for a cooling effect. Seal Gaps and Insulate Properly Cool air escaping means your AC works harder. Close gaps around doors, windows & AC vents. Use

Nestled comfortably between luxury and elegance, Dinaz’s eye for imaginative design and impeccable execution creates multi-layered décor and immersive experiences that delight all the senses. From vintage elegance to contemporary glamour, Design & Décor by Dinaz has grown into a trendsetting firm curating celebrations that remain rooted in memory. From Ambanis to the Ram Charans and the who’s who of the country, weddings feel incomplete without her touch. Here, Dinaz shares her expert insights on wedding décor in 2025. 1.What are the most prominent wedding decor trends you’re observing across India in 2025?This year, weddings are less about grandeur for its own sake and more about experiences. Décor is becoming highly immersive each wedding tells a story through layered themes, curated art, and thoughtful detailing. Couples are leaning towards fusion concepts traditional Indian elements blended seamlessly with contemporary luxury. 2.In your view, what is the single biggest decor transformation shaping Indian weddings this year?The biggest transformation is the rise of personalisation at scale. Even the largest celebrations are designed to feel intimate and meaningful, where every detail reflects the couple’s journey. Décor has shifted from just visual beauty to becoming a medium of storytelling. 3.Which colour palettes are dominating the season? Have you noticed any surprising comebacks?We’re seeing muted pastels paired with regal jewel tones sapphire blues, emerald greens, and deep burgundy. The surprising comeback is gold but not in its loud avatar; instead, antique, and brushed gold accents are adding understated richness. 4.Are couples leaning more towards luxurious opulence or sustainable minimalism in their decor choices?Interestingly, they want both. Couples are very conscious today they desire the glamour and drama of a luxury wedding, but with choices that reflect responsibility and mindfulness. So, the décor is opulent in aesthetic but minimal in waste, a balance of indulgence and intent.