Chandi Experiences Redefines Luxury Hospitality

Chandi Experiences Redefines Hospitality Through Storytelling and Cultural Collaborations

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 15, 2026

Luxury hospitality is increasingly being defined by memorable experiences rather than exclusivity alone. Built around this idea, Chandi Experiences, an experiential hospitality platform under Iliner Communications, is creating immersive collaborations that bring together hospitality, culture, and storytelling in meaningful ways.

Founded by entrepreneur and brand strategist Khanakh Sharma, Chandi focuses on crafting curated evenings where celebrated bartenders, acclaimed chefs, luxury brands, and guests come together through thoughtfully designed experiences. Instead of hosting conventional events, the platform creates collaborations where every detail contributes to a larger story.

The platform recently showcased its vision through two curated bar collaborations held in June. On June 12, EKAA Mumbai partnered with The Leela Palace Jaipur, followed by a collaboration between PCO Delhi and Jai Mahal Palace on June 20. Rather than traditional guest shifts, both experiences were designed as cultural exchanges, highlighting creativity, craftsmanship, and meaningful conversations.

During the Jaipur collaboration, EKAA Mumbai presented its Dwadash Cocktail Tasting Menu alongside the Dwadash Ayurvedic Menu. The beverage programmes explored Indian ingredients, philosophy, and modern mixology, with every cocktail telling a story through its inspiration, techniques, and cultural influences.

Reflecting on the experience, Apurv Bhatwadekar, Bar Manager at EKAA Mumbai, described the collaboration as "much more than a restaurant takeover, it was an immersive journey built around storytelling, philosophy and craftsmanship." He added that hospitality collaborations are evolving beyond guest shifts into platforms that combine education, creativity, and craftsmanship, leaving guests with lasting memories.

Kaustubh Santosh Kaslay, Head Mixologist at EKAA Mumbai, said the collaboration showcased the depth of EKAA's philosophy, bringing together narrative-led cocktails and ingredient-focused hospitality inspired by Ayurvedic principles. According to him, such collaborations encourage cultural exchange and introduce guests to unique concepts beyond their home cities.

For The Leela Palace Jaipur, the partnership highlighted the growing importance of creative collaborations in luxury hospitality. Deepak Singh Jeena, Executive Assistant Manager – Food and Beverage Service, said the evening successfully brought together two distinct bar identities through a beverage programme that was technically refined, thoughtfully curated, and creatively executed. He also appreciated Chandi's collaborative approach, noting that such initiatives strengthen the beverage community while creating memorable destination experiences.

The platform continued this momentum on June 20 with its collaboration between PCO Delhi and Jai Mahal Palace, further reinforcing its vision of creating immersive hospitality experiences centred on creativity, collaboration, and guest engagement.

For Khanakh Sharma, Co-Founder and Vision & Strategy Lead, Chandi is the result of nearly a decade of experience in communications, brand strategy, and experiential storytelling. A graduate of Columbia University, she has worked with global brands including HBO, Spotify, McLaren, Ferrari, and leading premium spirits portfolios. Her journey led her to hospitality after recognising that the most memorable brand experiences were always built around a strong sense of purpose.

"India has extraordinary talent across hospitality, food and beverage. What excited me was the opportunity to create a platform where these worlds could come together in a way that feels meaningful for everyone involved," says Khanakh. "Chandi is about creating evenings that people genuinely want to be part of, and continue talking about long after they've ended."

Supporting this vision is Sonal Bagul, Co-Founder and Programming & Curation Lead, whose background includes working with Bacardi and founding The Afterhours Collective. She oversees Chandi's bar takeovers, chef collaborations, and beverage programming, working closely with hospitality professionals from India and abroad to create experiences that are distinctive and engaging.

"Great hospitality has never been about doing more," says Sonal. "It's about bringing together the right people, the right food, the right drinks and the right atmosphere. When those pieces come together naturally, the evening develops its own rhythm."

Partnerships are led by Meenal Khandelwal, Co-Founder and Partnerships & Access Lead, who focuses on building meaningful collaborations across India's luxury, hospitality, and lifestyle sectors. Her approach centres on creating authentic partnerships that enrich the guest experience while fostering genuine connections between brands and audiences.

"A memorable evening starts long before the first guest arrives," says Meenal. "It's about creating the right environment, bringing together people who will genuinely enjoy one another's company and building partnerships that add something meaningful to the experience. That's what makes an evening worth remembering."

Looking ahead, Chandi Experiences plans to expand its presence across India's leading hospitality destinations while increasing collaborations with internationally recognised bars, celebrated chefs, and luxury brands. The platform also aims to explore partnerships across fashion, art, design, and culture, creating experiences that bring different creative communities together.

With every bar takeover, chef-led collaboration, and immersive gathering, Chandi Experiences continues to position hospitality as a form of cultural storytelling, bringing together people, ideas, and experiences that leave a lasting impression.

Bikanervala to Open New Outlet at SPS Realty's Helios in Zirakpur

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 3, 2026

SPS Realty has announced that Bikanervala, one of India's most recognised food and sweets brands, will open a new outlet at its flagship commercial development, Helios, located on VIP Road in Zirakpur. The addition is set to strengthen the project's retail and food & beverage ecosystem while enhancing its appeal as a lifestyle destination.

The upcoming outlet will offer Bikanervala's wide range of traditional Indian sweets, snacks, and dining options, catering to residents, businesses, and visitors from Zirakpur and nearby areas. The brand's presence is expected to serve as a key food and beverage anchor within the commercial development.

Commenting on the association, Rohit Singla, Director, SPS Realty, said, "The addition of Bikanervala at Helios reflects our vision of creating a well-rounded commercial destination that brings together premium retail, food, and lifestyle experiences. We aim to curate a diverse ecosystem where businesses can thrive while offering visitors a complete experience under one roof."

Helios has been designed as SPS Realty's flagship commercial project, featuring contemporary architecture, premium commercial spaces, and a strategic location on VIP Road. The development comprises 177 premium retail and showroom spaces, offering high-visibility opportunities for established brands, entrepreneurs, and businesses.

The arrival of Bikanervala is expected to further strengthen Helios' growing tenant mix while enhancing customer engagement by adding a well-established food and beverage destination. With increasing urbanisation and rising demand for organised retail spaces in the region, the project is positioned to emerge as a preferred commercial hub in Zirakpur.

Through this partnership, SPS Realty continues its focus on developing commercial destinations that combine retail, dining, and lifestyle experiences while creating new opportunities for businesses and consumers alike.

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McDonald's India – North and East Crosses 200 McCafé Outlets, Partners with Tara Sutaria

By Hariharan U

Published on August 3, 2026

McDonald's India – North and East has announced the expansion of its McCafé network to 200 outlets across North and East India, marking a significant milestone in the brand's coffee business. The expansion reflects the company's continued investment in making premium-quality coffee more accessible as India's café culture continues to evolve.

To commemorate the milestone, McDonald's India – North and East has partnered with Tara Sutaria as the face of McCafé, bringing its "Good Vibes Start with McCafe" platform to life through a new brand campaign celebrating everyday coffee moments and connections.

As part of the celebration, McCafé has also introduced a new Summer Range featuring Strawberry Matcha, Affogato, Salted Caramel Latte, Chai Latte, and Passion Fruit Cooler, expanding its beverage portfolio with refreshing and indulgent options designed for evolving consumer preferences.

Commenting on the milestone, Anant Agarwal, Vice-Chairperson, CPRL (McDonald's India – North and East), said, "At McCafé, our ambition is to build one of India's most loved and trusted coffee brands by making great coffee accessible to more consumers without compromising on quality or value. The milestone of 200 McCafé outlets reflects our continued investment in expanding our footprint and strengthening our beverage portfolio. As coffee culture continues to evolve in India, our refreshed 'Good Vibes Start with McCafe' platform, along with our collaboration with Tara Sutaria as the face of McCafé, reinforces our commitment to connecting with young consumers and making McCafé their preferred choice for everyday coffee occasions."

Sharing her thoughts on the association, Tara Sutaria said, "Coffee has always been an important part of my everyday routine, whether it's the first cup that starts my day, a mid-day pick-me-up or a quiet moment to unwind. Over the years, McCafé has become one of my go-to choices, whether I'm in India or travelling abroad, because I know I can always count on a great cup of coffee. McCafé's Cappuccino is one of my personal favourites whenever I'm looking for something indulgent. I'm delighted to be associated with a brand that shares my love for great coffee and celebrates the everyday rituals that make each cup special."

The new summer beverage range is now available across McCafé outlets in North and East India. Customers can also order through dine-in, Self-Ordering Kiosks (SOK), takeaway, drive-thru, delivery platforms, and the McDonald's App.

The campaign has been conceptualised by BBDO India, part of Omnicom Advertising India.