Rupal Madhup

When was the last time a print ad made you stop and go: “Damn. That’s spicy.”


Woke up. Scrolled LinkedIn. Saw Xiaomi’s April Fools’ Day print ad.
And I thought it was fake.

Until I realised—nope. They actually printed this.

In classic April Fools’ Day fashion, the ad didn’t just poke fun at competitors…
It called out all of us who fall for the hype.

→ “Overkill for your skill level.”
→ “More camera than you’ll ever know what to do with.”

Oof. Direct hit.
(Bold of them to say it—but can’t lie, it made me laugh.)

And honestly? It’s kind of refreshing to see a brand have this much fun while making a point.

Just a simple reminder—in print, of all things—
that specs don’t lie.
And sometimes, neither does sarcasm.

Because in a world where most brands play it safe,
this one actually played.

nicely done, Xiaomi India

Unicorn but not by valuation but by revenue. Rs 8,370 crore in revenue and Rs 4,700 cr PAT for FY24.

Zerodha has done it again!

In a world where startups chase funding rounds and VC dollars, Zerodha has proven that you don’t need external capital to dominate the market.

With a 61% jump in profit after tax, hitting ₹4,700 crore in FY24, and revenue soaring 21% to ₹8,320 crore, this bootstrapped giant is just flexing its muscles!

Here’s why I think it worked:

Built from the ground up: The Kamath brothers, Nithin Kamath and Nikhil Kamath, didn’t just build a company, they’ve disrupted the entire market. Their work ethic is unmatched. No fancy funding rounds, just relentless focus on making things work better and simpler for retail investors.

No VC Distractions: Staying bootstrapped allowed Zerodha to focus on growth without being beholden to investors. They’ve grown organically, which means every decision is purely for the company’s long-term success.

Nikhil Kamath’s personal branding: Let’s not overlook the power of personal branding. Nikhil Kamath, with his strong online presence and thought leadership, has been instrumental in putting Zerodha on the map.

His podcast, WTF, is one of the most loved educational podcasts in India today.
Never seen 2 hour, no bs authentic educational podcasts hit millions and millions of views.

And let’s not forget the WTF Fund—a prime example of Nikhil taking his vision beyond Zerodha.

Customer-Centric Approach: While other platforms are pushing for profits, Zerodha has always prioritized transparency and low costs for its users. It’s no surprise that they manage a net worth that’s 40% of the total customer funds they handle.

Diversification Smart Moves: With their Rainmatter Fund, they’ve invested in over 120 startups, supporting everything from fintech to climate tech. They’re not just a brokerage anymore—they’re expanding their footprint across industries​

This isn’t just impressive—it’s a masterclass in how to build a multi billion-dollar business without playing the VC game.

Hot take but I’ve genuinely realised that taking holidays as an adult sucks??


Not the being on vacation part.
The getting to it part.

Because suddenly, YOU have to do everything.

Where to go.
When to go.
How much to spend.
How many leaves you can afford.
Who’s coming, who’s cancelling, who’s making you rethink the whole thing.

You grow up romanticising travel.
And then one day, you open 17 tabs to plan a trip… and suddenly it feels like your second job.

I’m not someone who hates planning. I like being in control.
But I’d be lying if I said it hasn’t started to feel… heavy.

Which is exactly why Agoda’s new AI tool actually stood out.
Not because it used AI for the sake of buzz.
But because it used AI to solve a real, frustrating, everyday problem.

The experience is kind of genius!

You answer a few quick questions:
→ What kind of vibe are you on? Nature, party, city, mountains?
→ Who you going with? Solo? Parents? Partner?
→ What’s your budget, dates, duration?

And boom! it gives you a destination and an itinerary.
Personalized. Practical. Actually usable.

It’s like having a personal conversation with someone who gets you, powered by AI.

And yes, AI collabs with celebs are everywhere now.
But using it to drive 1:1 experiences at this level of quality?
That’s different. That’s smart UX.

Agoda’s not just playing with tech.
They’re building better top-of-funnel experiences with it.

If you’re someone who’s been putting off a trip just because planning feels like a chore,
Try this.

Because sometimes, you don’t need a break from work.
You need a break from planning the break.

#AgodaAI #smartertravel #Planning