India’s business landscape is being reshaped by visionary entrepreneurs who are challenging conventions, embracing innovation and creating meaningful impact across industries. From real estate and advertising to healthcare, media, sports, hospitality and education, these leaders represent a new spirit of enterprise driven by ambition, resilience and purpose. Entrepreneurs Who Are Changing the Face of Indian Business celebrates the journeys of individuals who are turning ideas into thriving ventures, building enduring brands and creating opportunities that extend beyond the bottom line. Through their diverse experiences and forward-looking visions, they reflect the dynamism of modern Indian entrepreneurship and its growing influence on the nation’s future.
Sukhraj Nahar | Founder, Chairman & Managing Director, Nahar Group | 18th President, CREDAI-MCHI
Sukhraj Nahar, Founder, Chairman and Managing Director of Nahar Group, is one of India’s respected real estate leaders, with over five decades of experience shaping Mumbai’s urban landscape. From his beginnings in Bhinmal, Rajasthan, to establishing Nahar Group in the early 1970s, his journey has been defined by entrepreneurship, innovation and a strong belief in creating communities, not just buildings. Under his leadership, Nahar Group has developed over 15 million sq. ft. across residential and commercial developments, with a growing focus on integrated and sustainable living. His commitment extends beyond real estate through schools, hospitals and healthcare initiatives across Rajasthan and Maharashtra. As the 18th President of CREDAI-MCHI, Nahar is driving the MISSION CARES agenda, focusing on affordability, sustainable urban.
Fahim Batliwala | Chairman & Managing Director, SIMCA Advertising Limited
Fahim Batliwala is the driving force behind the transformation of SIMCA Advertising Limited, one of India’s established Out-of-Home (OOH) advertising companies. With over two decades of experience in the industry, he has evolved SIMCA from a modest outdoor advertising enterprise into a professionally managed, innovation-led company with an expanding presence across premium markets.
Under his leadership, SIMCA successfully listed on NSE Emerge in 2026 and has expanded to 222 media assets, including 80 static hoardings and 142 Digital Out-of-Home (DOOH) slots, serving 221 clients. As part of its growth strategy, SIMCA is diversifying into airport advertising, expanding its presence into premium, high-visibility media environments and creating new opportunities to reach high-value audiences. Fahim’s vision centres on digitalisation, technology-led innovation and expanding SIMCA’s media footprint, positioning the company to capitalise on emerging opportunities and contribute to the evolution of India’s OOH advertising ecosystem.
Dr. Nirupama Parwanda | Founder, Zolie Skin Clinic
Dr. Nirupama Parwanda is an MD Dermatologist, entrepreneur and digital skincare educator with over 15 years of experience in medical and aesthetic dermatology. As the founder of Zolie Skin Clinic in Kailash Colony, South Delhi, she is building a patient-centric dermatology brand offering evidence-based treatments for diverse skin and hair concerns. The clinic provides specialised care for acne, acne scars, pigmentation, melasma, hair loss and skin ageing, alongside advanced aesthetic procedures such as laser hair reduction, PRP, HIFU skin tightening, Botox and dermal fillers. Beyond clinical practice, Dr. Parwanda has built a strong digital presence with a cumulative social media following of over 2 million, educating audiences about skincare and evidence-based dermatology. Through clinical expertise, modern technologies and a team-led approach, she is expanding access to personalised skin, hair and aesthetic treatments.
Ashish Kumar | Founder & Chairman, Aashish Group
Over 2,900 homes, one guiding belief: the people who build a home matter as much as the people who buy it.
Ashish Kumar is a Jaipur-based entrepreneur who entered real estate in 2012. His understanding of buyer preferences, pricing and market gaps comes from years of on-ground experience.
What sets his approach apart is a focus on people. He holds one-on-one sessions with employees to hear their aspirations and challenges and backs them with training. His care extends to the wider workforce through nutritious meals, and free on-site education and medical care for labourers’ children.
For him, real estate is about what gets created, who benefits and what it leaves behind, reflected in projects like Utpal, J Park, V Park, Nital and more. In his view, the best developments are remembered not just for their heights, but for the lives they lifted.
Krishna Sumanth (Kris) | Co-Founder, Kasbah Films | 26 Years of Creativity & Innovation
With 26 years in media and entertainment, Krishna Sumanth, known as Kris, began his career at Ramoji Film City before moving to Mumbai’s film industry.
Starting in audio engineering, he built a career across film production, live television, creative production and leadership, including stints at NDTV and Times Network, where he served as Creative Head – OAP.
His defining achievement is the transition from media professional to entrepreneur, co-founding Kasbah Films with Vikram Agarwal and Uttkarsh Chaturvedi.
Drawing on expertise in storytelling, production, budgeting, post-production and client relationships, Kris combines creative vision with execution.
Kasbah Films has grown into a multidisciplinary studio delivering branding campaigns, TVCs, digital content, AI filmmaking, product launches and experiential events.
For Kris, the journey has only just begun.
Vikram Agarwal | From Coffee Breaks to Co-founder, Kasbah Films
Some companies start with a business plan. Kasbah Films started with conversations over chai and smoke breaks.
Vikram Agarwal began as a graphic designer, rising through Zee News and CNBC TV18 to become Executive Producer and Creative Head at Times Network.
When COVID-19 disrupted newsrooms, he helped pioneer a first in Indian live news television: making anchors broadcasting from home appear as though they were in a studio.
Those same conversations with colleagues eventually became a shared ambition. Together with Krishna Sumanth and Uttkarsh Chaturvedi, he co-founded Kasbah Films.
Today, Vikram continues to push creative boundaries, building an AI-powered filmmaking pipeline that reimagines modern production.
For him, the biggest ideas don't always begin in boardrooms. Sometimes, they begin over chai.
Niteen L. Shah | Founder & Managing Director, Total Sports & Fitness
Niteen L. Shah, Founder & Managing Director of Total Sports & Fitness, is a pioneering entrepreneur who has played a defining role in shaping India’s organised multi-brand sports retail industry. Founded in 2003, Total Sports & Fitness today operates 21 stores across 13 cities in six states, serving over two million customers through retail, B2B solutions and e-commerce. Under Niteen’s leadership, the company is moving towards becoming a technology-led sports commerce platform, with a focus on AI-powered experiences, intelligent product discovery and quick-commerce capabilities. A passionate advocate for making sports an integral part of everyday life, he champions greater access to sports infrastructure and holistic fitness. His vision extends beyond business growth to foster a healthier, more active and sporting India.
Uttkarsh Chaturvedi | Born to Tell Stories | Co-Founder, Kasbah Films
When COVID-19 brought the world to a standstill, Uttkarsh Chaturvedi found himself asking a simple but profound question: What is my purpose in life? The answer was storytelling.
Inspired by Tyrion Lannister’s words in Game of Thrones — “There is nothing in the world more powerful than a good story” — Uttkarsh began discussing the idea of building something of his own with Vikram and Sumant during tea breaks. Those conversations eventually led to the birth of Kasbah.
From writing and acting in college theatre to working as a news anchor and reporter, storytelling has remained a constant in Uttkarsh’s journey. Today, he sees himself as Kasbah’s idea machine, constantly searching for stories and ideas worth bringing to life.
Sahil Sambhi | Founder & CEO, Sahil Sambhi Brands
Sahil Sambhi is the Founder & CEO of Sahil Sambhi Brands and a hospitality entrepreneur who has been building distinctive dining experiences since 2015. After completing his BSc in IT in 2009, he began his career in his family business, gaining experience in systems, operations and technology. Driven by his childhood dream of owning a restaurant, Sahil transitioned into hospitality and immersed himself in operations, marketing, customer experience and innovation. Over the years, he has developed concepts including Nadoo, Japonico, Let’s Kiss, Latango and Viet:Nom, with a presence across multiple Indian cities and Kathmandu. His upcoming ventures are Koreyo, Batch, Khaani and Vayo in Delhi, along with Nadoo and Let’s Kiss in London. His vision is to create distinctive dining spaces that elevate Indian hospitality and gastronomy to international standards.
Nitasha Sagar Kukar | Founder & CEO, Academio
Nitasha Sagar Kukar is the Founder and CEO of Academio, an online academic mentorship platform supporting students navigating the International Baccalaureate (IB) and Cambridge curricula. Founded in February 2025, Academio was born from Nitasha’s experience as a parent of three children in the Cambridge system and her firsthand understanding of the lack of curriculum-specialist educators in India. Before founding Academio, Nitasha worked with Procter & Gamble and Accenture, building expertise in brand management, consumer insights and business transformation across India, the UK and Singapore. An engineering graduate and MBA from IIM Bangalore, she brings a combination of consumer empathy, analytical rigour and systems thinking to education. Under her leadership, Academio has built a 32-member educator network and achieved 15–20% month-on-month enrolment growth in its first year.
