Global Bhatias Online Directory
 
 
 
 

Tea Tigers
 

The Rs.400 crore Wagh Bakri Group has a presence in over 25 countries worldwide. Anil Mulchandani talks to Parag Desai, Director and greatgrandson of founder Narandas Desai, about his company’s journey to its current position as the third highest selling tea brand in India

Alandmark between the bustling Ambawadi Circle and the popular Parimal Gardens, the 3400 sq meters. Wagh Bakri House has a glassed-in facade that faces north. As I entered the reception, I was given a coded access personal proximity tag which when held near the keyhole enabled me to enter the glass doors and take the elevator to one of the meeting rooms. Natural light streamed in and I was not surprised to hear that the building has been praised extensively for its energy efficiency. This building is just one of the many symbols of the progressive thinking that has made Wagh Bakri a brand to reckon with.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Scoring Aces
 

One of the highest-rated junior tennis players in India, Kyra Shroff was the only Indian girl to make it to the Australian Open and Wimbledon in the juniors’ category in 2009. Anil Mulchandani talks to the sportsperson who has had to battle great odds as a juvenile diabetic
 


We are a sports-minded family. My wife, Gulshan, was a promising athlete who participated in the Asian Junior Championships while I played many games for my school. We have always encouraged our children’s sporting abilities – my daughter Kyra has excelled in tennis while my son Porus plays soccer at a competitive level,” says Firdaus Shroff, Kyra’s father.“Kyra played all kinds of sports as a child, including football and karate. She started playing tennis when she was six and her potential was recognised by Tahir and Intikhab Ali, senior tennis players.”

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Bollywood Mania
 
Bollywood’s premier choreographer Vaibhavi Merchant, talks about the international musical and her experience with the film stars

Tell us about the genesis of ‘Merchants of Bollywood’?
The show’s producer, Mark Brady, along with writer-director Toby Gough approached me in late 2003. Mark had hit upon the idea of making an Indian musical while dining in an Indian restaurant called Bollywood where they were showing clips of glamorous actresses of our industry. They were unclear about Indian cinema in general and were amazed to learn about Mumbai’s film industry. I shared with them the story of my maternal grandfather, B Hiralal, Bollywood’s pioneer choreographer and my knowledge of the industry and they decided to base the musical on my family. We researched it extensively and launched it in 2005.