Tag: octe-sports.com

  • MortaL (Naman Mathur) Marries Long-Time Love Rutuja: A Beautiful Beginning

    MortaL (Naman Mathur) Marries Long-Time Love Rutuja: A Beautiful Beginning

    Naman Mathur, famously known as MortaL, has tied the knot with his long-time love, Rutuja, in a heartfelt wedding ceremony on December 15, 2024. The celebrated co-founder and CMO of S8UL Esports, and a leading figure in the Indian gaming industry, surprised his fans by introducing Rutuja as his better half. Their wedding pictures, shared on Naman’s Instagram, are nothing short of adorable and have left fans buzzing with excitement

    A Love Story That Began in 2014

    Naman revealed that his journey with Rutuja began in 2014. Over the years, they weathered life’s ups and downs, growing stronger together. In his Instagram post, Naman wrote, “2014 me peheli baar mile the, 2024 me hamesha k liye mil gaye.” He shared how they initially kept their relationship private but felt it was finally time to introduce Rutuja to the world.

    Wedding Moments Captured in Pictures

    The couple shared three stunning pictures from their big day:

    1. The Sindoor Moment: Naman applied sindoor (vermillion) to Rutuja, with a sweet drop adorably landing on her nose, capturing hearts online.
    2. The Traditional Pose: The newlyweds posed with folded hands in a classic Indian wedding style.
    3. Reception Elegance: The final snap gave a glimpse of their reception, showcasing their stylish ensembles.

    Wedding Attire: Tradition Meets Simplicity

    Naman’s Look: He donned an off-white sherwani paired with a traditional turban and tilak.

    Rutuja’s Bridal Charm: Rutuja embraced her Marathi roots in a turquoise blue nauvari saree, complemented by a red dupatta, green bangles, traditional jewelry, and a simple mundawalya. Her minimal makeup included baby pink eyeshadow and lipstick, perfectly accentuating her look.

    Reception Looks: Naman opted for a dashing black overcoat with black jeans and a shirt, while Rutuja stunned in a grey gown paired with nude makeup, green bangles, and her bridal mehendi.

    Naman Mathur: The Face of Indian Gaming

    Naman Mathur is no stranger to the limelight. A prominent name in esports, he gained fame for his expertise in PUBG Mobile and has been instrumental in elevating the Indian gaming industry. He has been nominated for prestigious accolades like Streamer of the Year (2020, 2021) and Esports Personality of the Year (2022). Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged his contributions during a discussion about India’s gaming landscape and the importance of technology and social media.

    Building a Loyal Fanbase: Naman’s Secret

    In an interview with CNBC TV18, Naman shared insights on growing a dedicated fanbase. He emphasized audience engagement, saying, “Involving your audience in content creation—be it choosing gameplay strategies or even games—helps build a community and fosters loyalty.” He added, “Your content is constantly competing for attention. Give your audience a reason to come back, while always delivering something fresh and exciting.”

    A Lifetime of Happiness Awaits

    The gaming community and fans worldwide have showered Naman and Rutuja with love and blessings. As they embark on this new chapter, Team BollywoodShaadis extends its heartfelt congratulations to the couple, wishing them endless happiness and togetherness.

  • Tax Deadline Approaches: What’s Next for India’s Online Gaming Industry?

    Tax Deadline Approaches: What’s Next for India’s Online Gaming Industry?

    The gaming world is facing a deadline. In under two months, the tax authorities must turn a series of warnings into final tax demands for several Indian online gaming companies. This situation comes as these businesses deal with high taxes, unclear rules, and a crucial court case.

    At least three online gaming companies have been told about their tax obligations for the financial year 2017-18, which is when India introduced a new indirect tax system. If the tax orders are not issued by February 5, 2025, these warnings will no longer be valid. The tax department seems determined to meet this deadline.

    Once a tax order is given, gaming companies can appeal it, but they’ll need to pay 10% of the disputed tax first. Currently, the Supreme Court is handling a case with multiple petitions challenging the tax issues; however, it’s unlikely that a final decision will be reached before the February deadline.

    The main issues in dispute center around three popular games: Poker, Rummy, and Fantasy Sports. The debates focus on two questions: Is the game purely a gamble or is it a game of skill? And should the 28% Goods and Services Tax (GST) apply to all the betting money or just to the fee charged by the gaming platform? This fee can range from 5% to 20% of the money a player bets.

    The outcome of this court case is crucial for the future of gaming in India, which currently exists in a confusing regulatory space. If the court labels these games as mere bets, it could severely harm the popularity of these platforms. On the other hand, if the court recognizes them as skill-based games but agrees with the tax department, it could change how these companies operate and might make gaming less appealing to players.

    Moreover, if the GST only applies to the platform’s fee, the gaming companies could have a chance to grow and attract more investors.

    Some gaming companies have challenged these tax warnings in different high courts and have received stay orders, which the tax department has since contested in the Supreme Court. The tax authority argues that these games involve random opponents matched by the software, making it hard to compare the skills of players.

    Besides the three main games, the courts still need to address whether other games are based on chance or skill individually through separate cases.

    In response to these developments, industry groups are seeking to unite and may ask the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs for intervention until the Supreme Court concludes the matter. This could help prevent tax officials from taking harsh actions, like freezing bank accounts, until the highest court makes its decision.