StartUps

House of Creativity: Sinha Brothers Redefine India’s Art Scene with a Legacy-Fuelled Vision

In a world where creativity often competes with commerce, LUV and KUSSH SINHA are merging both purpose and passion. Drawing from their rich cinematic heritage and a lifelong connection to the arts, the Sinha twins have launched The House of Creativity (HOC) a platform dedicated to showcasing and supporting contemporary Indian artists. Their goal is to democratize access to visual art, giving emerging talents a space to thrive while also expanding the reach of Indian artistry on a global stage.

In conversation with SINDURI VUPPALA, the duo shares how their entrepreneurial journey is not just about art, but about creating a movement that celebrates originality, honours legacy, and nurtures the future of India’s creative community.

1. Can you take us back to when your relationship with visual art truly began?

Luv: My relationship with visual art began at a very young age. I was deeply influenced by Hindi cinema the films my father acted in, those of Mr. Bachchan, and other legends. As I grew older, Japanese animation, video games, and comic books also left a huge impression on me. Each artist, every inker, has their own style those differences fascinated me. Film too, being a moving image, played a huge role. Pause it, and it becomes a photograph. That connection influenced me tremendously.

2. What led to the birth of the House of Creativity? Was there a defining moment or conversation?

Luv: It started with conversations at home during the lockdown. I kept thinking about the number of immensely talented artists who just don’t have a platform. Art can be an exclusive world, but coming from the film industry, I felt we could help expand its reach. The idea of starting digital-first made sense due to restrictions, but our long-term vision is definitely to open physical galleries and make art more accessible.

3. HOC brings together distinct artistic voices. How do you maintain individuality while building a shared creative vision?

Luv: Kussh and I have very different styles. His is more grounded, relatable, almost poetic, while mine is a bit more commercial or playful. That contrast works in our favor. It helps us build something unique while retaining our individual creative identities. We complement each other through our differences.

4. How do your backgrounds in cinema, production, and politics shape the art you gravitate toward at HOC?

Luv: Cinema taught me to look for compelling visuals moments that capture attention and emotion. Politics, on the other hand, reminded me to stay grounded, to understand lives beyond the film world. These influences help me approach photography with both intensity and depth.

Kussh: Cinema teaches you to make every moment matter; you can call for a retake if needed. But photography doesn’t allow that luxury. You have to get it right the first time. That discipline shapes how I shoot: instinctively, yet with a deep sense of awareness.

5. The Art of Confluence marks a major physical showcase for a digital-first platform. How did that transition shape your curatorial approach?

Luv: It’s been a rewarding step. We collaborate closely with gallery partners on every decision, blending our perspective with theirs. The physical show is a milestone for us and for the artists, giving their work a tangible, immersive presence beyond screens. Working with the Design Era team was smooth and insightful.

6. The show presents both traditional and digital art. What excites you about this intersection?

Luv: It’s a reflection of how art has evolved. Traditional art is the foundation that teaches us craftsmanship. But digital tools are the future, enabling more people to create. That blend of brushes and screens is what excites me most. It shows how inclusive art can be today.

7. How has the response been to the exhibition so far?

Luv: The response was phenomenal. The preview night had a great turnout, and we saw genuine interest not just from art lovers, but from collectors. Still, I always want to push the bar higher. Every show teaches us something new. But this one, with Amrita and the Designerra team, was a real highlight.

8. Luv, your photos feel cinematic are they spontaneous captures or carefully composed stories?

Luv: A bit of both. I do shoot spontaneously, but I’m always prepared. My camera is with me wherever I go because I never want to miss a moment. So while the moments are real, the intent behind capturing them is definitely planned. You have to be ready for the story before it unfolds.

9. Kussh, your photography was largely private until now. What made you decide to share it publicly?

Kussh: Photography has always been personal, something I do to observe and explore the world. But I’ve come to see the value of feedback. Honest critique helps you grow. So I decided to include my work in The Art of Confluence to open up that conversation and evolve as an artist.

10. What is it like working creatively with your sibling? Do disagreements ever lead to breakthroughs?

Luv: Working with Kussh is straightforward. He knows what he wants. I give him options, he picks what resonates. We respect each other as artists first. If I tried to dictate his vision or if he did the same it would take the soul out of the art. Creative freedom is non-negotiable for both of us.

Kussh: We work well because our styles are different. I’m drawn to street photography capturing fleeting, human moments. Luv brings a more cinematic lens. That contrast creates a diverse visual language. We don’t need to agree all the time. That’s part of what makes it interesting.

11. Are there plans to take HOC global, or into more offline/physical spaces? What kind of impact do you hope to make on emerging Indian artists and collectors?

Luv: Absolutely. We already have an international partner in Dubai Paintbrush Art Company and we’re looking to expand further. I want to open a gallery space in India too. But beyond infrastructure, our impact should be emotional and cultural. We’re not just offering exposure, we’re building a family of artists. The name House of Creativity reflects that. Our artists support us as much as we support them. It’s a shared journey and we’re just getting started.

May 29, 2025

sinha brothers

Sujata & Taniya Biswas: Redefining the Everyday Indian Sari

A homegrown Indian fashion brand redefining the sari as an everyday, breathable, and expressive garment. Combining Sujata’s structured, systems-driven approach with Taniya’s creative vision, they work closely with artisan communities across India to create clothing rooted in comfort, honesty, and human connection. Their journey blends entrepreneurship with sisterhood, building a brand that values trust, craftsmanship, and mindful fashion. Taniya, you left a stable career with the Tata group and IBM after IIM Lucknow, and Sujata, you pivoted from IIFT Delhi and corporate life. What was the exact moment when both of you realised that the corporate path wasn’t enough and that Suta was waiting to happen? Taniya: It wasn’t a rebellion. It was recognition. I had done everything “right”: engineering, IIM, a Consulting role that looked perfect on paper. But somewhere between late-night presentations and early morning meetings, I realised I was living life from the neck up. My hands missed fabric. My heart missed stories. I kept returning mentally to memories of wet saris drying on clotheslines, of Maa moving through the house with her pallu tucked in. One evening, over chai, I said it aloud to Sujata: I don’t think this is it. The moment I spoke it, Suta was born. Sujata: For me, it came as the discomfort of becoming someone I wasn’t. The corporate world had given me growth, but it had also hardened me. I remember thinking: If success requires me to lose softness, I don’t want it. My PhD was an attempt to find meaning, but even that felt academic, distant. What we really wanted was to build something with our hands, our intuition, and our values. Suta didn’t arrive as planned. It arrived as relief. From travelling through remote weaving clusters in Meghalaya, Varanasi, MP, and Odisha to working directly with artisan families,

StartUps

Blood, Bond & Business: The Real Equations behind Family-Driven Startups

February is the month of relationships, and at Hashtag, we’re celebrating the bonds that shape not just personal lives, but powerful businesses. This special edition explores entrepreneurs who share more than a company; they share roots. From siblings turning into strategic partnerships to spouses balancing love and leadership, we dive into the real dynamics behind relationship-driven ventures. This month, discover how strong relationships can become a business’s most valuable asset. Vijayaraghavan Venugopal is the Co-founder at Fast&Up and has been instrumental in building the brand in India. He has over 26 years of business experience in diverse fields, which includes pharmaceuticals, Healthcare and Information Technology. He has been responsible for business development in multiple geographies, including the Triad (USA, Europe and Japan). He has worked with TekFriday, Dr Reddy’s, Lupin and Emcure in different senior management roles. He was Lupin’s country head in China for three years between 2007 and 2010. He is a mechanical engineer and an MBA in International Business from the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, Delhi. He is one of the fastest amateur marathoners in the country, having run in sub-3-hour marathons 12 times in major cities throughout the world, including Paris, Boston, Chicago, Berlin, London, Tokyo and New York, all while leading the growth of India’s fastest-growing nutrition brand, Fast&Up. He also has the distinction of being the first Indian to do all six world marathon majors under 3 hours, and is the winner of the recently held Tata Mumbai Marathon in his age group. Varun Khanna is the CEO of Fullife Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., a company he started at the age of 23 with the sole purpose to focus on healthy living. A relentless passion to do something innovative for the millennial need for an active life drove him to launch India’s first effervescent

StartUps

Top 6 Startups Of 2025: The New Architects of India’s Future

From sustainable farming to EV mobility, discover six Indian startups shaping a cleaner, smarter, and more connected tomorrow. Every generation finds its dreamers, the ones who don’t just talk about change, but build it. In 2025, India’s startup scene feels less like a rush for valuation and more like a movement with a purpose. These founders aren’t chasing unicorn tags; they are chasing impact. They are solving what truly matters. This is the India that rolls up its sleeves and says ‘Let’s make it ourselves.’ Dhanush Kumar writes about the Top 6 Startups of 2025, born from soil, steel, and software, each shaping tomorrow with courage and conscience. 1.Handpickd: Fresh from Farm to Table When freshness becomes a luxury, Handpickd restores it to the everyday plate. This Bengaluru-based agritech startup has built a direct bridge between local farmers and urban consumers ensuring every tomato, mango, and millet travels fewer miles and earns farmers more smiles. Using tech-driven logistics and transparent sourcing, Handpickd doesn’t just deliver produce; it delivers trust. In an era of overprocessed everything, this is simplicity redefined clean food, honest pricing, and a system where farmers finally get their due.It’s not a brand. It’s a return to our roots literally. 2.Bambrew: Building a Plastic-free Future At a time when the planet gasps under plastic, Bambrew breathes innovation. The Bengaluru-based packaging pioneer crafts biodegradable, compostable alternatives made from bamboo, sugarcane, and cornstarch materials that love the earth back. Their vision isn’t just green, it’s bold. Bambrew’s eco-packaging now wraps products for top FMCG and e-commerce giants, proving sustainability doesn’t have to look boring or cost a fortune.This isn’t rebellion it’s reinvention. A reminder that small choices, multiplied by millions, can rewrite the story of our planet. 3.Eeki Foods: Vertical Farming for a Greener Tomorrow In the deserts of Rajasthan, where

StartUps

The Fresh Faces of India’s Clean Eating Revolution

Eat Right Clean eating is no longer a fad but a necessity in the times we live in, and several startups are making sure this is a choice that is easy to make. As people take charge of their health and well-being, eating clean is one of the most important priorities. BINDU GOPAL RAO features seven startups that are helping make this change, one plate at a time. Nutreat Hyderabad-based Nutreat was born in 2014 out of a personal need to provide clean, wholesome food for the founder’s son. Over time, this evolved into a deeper mission: to craft handmade, customised nutrition rooted in ancestral Indian food wisdom. “We handcraft each product using our signature four-step process sprouting, sun-drying, slow roasting, and stone grinding and tailor it to the individual’s age, health condition, and dietary needs. Nutreat promotes clean eating not just by avoiding processed ingredients, but by ensuring every spoonful is mindfully made and consciously consumed. In 2023, when our business was at its peak with franchise opportunities, foreign collaborations, and incubation offers we made a bold decision. We stepped back. We refused to bulk produce because it was creating false demand, pressuring both our team and consumers to buy more than they needed. That turning point reaffirmed our belief in nooverbuying and consciousconsumerism. Clean eating, we believe, must also be mindful free of waste, hype, or excess. While the wellness industry grows, we often see food wastage even in the name of healthy eating. Our model of customisation ensures that we make only what’s needed, drastically reducing waste while offering personalised nutrition,” says Jyothi Sri Pappu, Founder & CEO, Nutreat. Moving forward, their goal is to scale impact, not volume, by nurturing conscious consumers, supporting women artisans, and creating a food culture rooted in purpose. The Kenko Life