1.5 Degree, Delhi’s pioneering plant-based dairy start-up, has partnered with PVR Cinemas, India’s largest multiplex chain, to launch its first-ever retail kiosks offering 100% natural, lactose-free gelatos, shakes, and sundaes. This collaboration marks a new chapter in the cinema experience, combining indulgence with sustainability.

The kiosks have been launched at two of NCR’s most iconic cinema destinations, PVR ECX Chanakyapuri, Delhi’s only ECX, and PVR Inox Worldmark, Gurgaon. These illuminated experiential carts are designed to seamlessly blend with the premium ambiance of PVR cinemas, inviting movie-goers to enjoy a guilt-free treat under the tagline “Plant-based to Cool a Warmer Planet.”

Through this partnership, 1.5 Degree brings its signature range of natural, lactose-free, and palm-oil-free gelatos to cinema audiences seeking both taste and wellness. To celebrate the collaboration, the brand has introduced exclusive PVR-inspired flavours like Caramel Popcorn Gelato, along with indulgent options including Mixed Berry, Biscoff, Mango, Coffee, and No-Added-Sugar Blueberry. The menu also features a variety of sugar-free shakes and signature sundaes served in cans, designed for freshness and convenience.

Speaking on the launch, Vedansh Goyal, Founder of 1.5 Degree, said, “Ice cream is an emotion, an inseparable part of the movie experience. Whether it’s a family outing, date night, or get-together with friends, our gelatos aim to make every PVR moment sweeter, healthier, and more memorable. Our mission is to make plant-based indulgence mainstream, where great taste meets good health and sustainability.”

1.5 Degree recently raised seed funding from BITS Pilani and continues to expand its footprint across India with a focus on sustainable, health-conscious dairy alternatives. Through this association with PVR, the brand aims to make plant-based treats more accessible, enjoyable, and part of everyday indulgence.

 Watch the launch teasers here:

•  YouTube Short 1
•   YouTube Short 2

Holiday Inn Gurgaon NH8 is set to bring an exciting twist to Halloween this year with its one-of-a-kind “Boo-ffet Night” at The Palate. The evening promises guests a mix of spooky elegance, great food, and festive fun from 7:00 PM to 10:30 PM.

Curated by Executive Chef Deep Dubey and his talented culinary team, the buffet will feature a range of creatively themed appetizers, wickedly delicious mains, and ghostly desserts, all inspired by the playful spirit of Halloween. Each dish has been designed to surprise and delight, turning a simple dinner into a memorable dining experience.

The restaurant will take on a hauntingly beautiful makeover for the night, with eerie lighting, Halloween décor, and a few unexpected spooky surprises waiting to catch diners off guard.

Speaking about the celebration, Ms. Mukta Khanna, General Manager, shared, “The Boo-ffet Night is all about combining festive fun with culinary creativity. We want our guests to enjoy not just the flavors, but the entire spooky ambience that makes Halloween so special.”

Located conveniently off the Delhi-Jaipur Highway, Holiday Inn Gurgaon NH8 is known for its modern comfort, warm hospitality, and lively dining experiences. Its signature restaurant, The Palate, has built a reputation for global buffets and themed food festivals that bring people together through the joy of flavour and creativity.

Oroos Confectionery Pvt. Ltd. has raised ₹20 crore in funding led by Fireside Ventures, with participation from the State Bank of India (SBI) and a network of strategic angel investors. The investment will fuel the company’s expansion into Bharat’s fast-growing confectionery market, with a focus on innovation, automation, and accessibility.

Founded by Raje Suneet Jain, a seasoned sales and marketing professional, and Prashant Manral, an expert in large-scale FMCG manufacturing, Oroos was created with a vision to make premium-quality indulgence accessible to the next billion Indians. The company aims to build a trusted, Indian-made confectionery brand offering world-class quality at affordable prices.

“Oroos was born out of a simple observation, the real Bharat consumer seeks better quality, but not at metro prices,” said Raje Suneet Jain, CEO, Oroos Confectionery. “We want to bridge that gap by building a manufacturing-first brand that delivers premium quality and scale from within India. This is about creating a world-class confectionery company for India, in India.”

The new funds will be used to establish a fully automated manufacturing facility in Greater Noida and to build a distribution network across Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns, where demand for affordable, high-quality confectionery is growing rapidly.

Fireside Ventures, one of India’s leading early-stage consumer funds, is backing Oroos for its focus on building a differentiated, scalable Indian brand for Bharat’s emerging consumers.

“Oroos addresses the rising aspirations of India 2 consumers who are currently grossly underserved, a huge untapped market,” said Prayag Mohanty, Principal, Fireside Ventures. “We believe Raje and Prashant are best placed to address this opportunity, given their domain expertise and deep understanding of consumer needs. Oroos’s ‘Make in India’ approach, combined with its best-in-class Noida facility, positions it strongly for scale.”

The funding round also saw participation from industry leaders including Vikash Agarwalla (MD & Partner, BCG India), Sanjay Wali (COO, VST Industries), Praneet Gupta (Director, Leading Sovereign Wealth Fund), Porush Jain (Founder, Sportskeeda), and Chandan Deep (VC Investor), among others.

Supported by SBI’s Startup Branch (CGTMSE scheme) and backed by a memorandum of understanding with Invest UP, Oroos’s upcoming Noida plant will feature high-output efficiency and a focus on consistent product quality and innovation.

According to the India Confectionery Market Report 2025–2033 by IMARC Group, the Indian confectionery sector is valued at ₹379 billion in 2024 and projected to grow to ₹597 billion by 2033, at a CAGR of 5.2%. While North India currently holds the largest market share at 32.8%, the next wave of growth is expected from Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets, where consumers are increasingly upgrading from unbranded sweets to packaged, branded confectionery.

With this funding, Oroos aims to establish itself as a category creator in affordable indulgence, blending manufacturing excellence with a deep understanding of India’s evolving mass market. The company’s focus on quality, innovation, and inclusivity positions it to redefine how Bharat experiences sweetness, one bite at a time.