"Starting a business is like playing chess. Except the board is on fire, the pieces are made of marshmallows, and your opponent is a three-headed dragon."
Starting a business requires a lot of courage, determination and to make a business successful you need hard work and a huge dollop of luck. India isn’t the easiest place to start a business but a few have started, thrived and flourished to give us great stories.
This week’s newsletter dedicated to few businesses in India who had very interesting origin stories.
Things we learnt this week 🤓
Shyam Sunder Goenka had a thriving clothing business. A Marwari entrepreneur with roots in Kolkata, he had everything going for him. But in a twist of fate, a devastating fire laid waste to the business. The only thing they were able to salvage was a computer. This computer became the prized possession of the son of Shyam Goenka - Bharat Goenka, a Math graduate. Using the computer, Bharat created Peutronics Financial Accounting software, which eventually became Tally Solutions. Rising from the ashes, was a company that tallies success.
Godrej Group started in the year 1897 and was into locks and safes. In 1897, it was the first company to introduce a lock with lever technology in India. In 1918, they decided to diversify and started Godrej Soaps Limited. Their first soap brand was called ‘Chavi’ or key in a nod to their lock making legacy. They even managed to get Annie Besant as a brand ambassador. Having a freedom fighter as a brand ambassador was certainly a key to success for Godrej.
The Key is the secret of success
PayTM started in 2009, but its parent company One97 was launched in 2000. Why One97? 197 was the number you dialled on landlines (remember them?) to enquire about a phone number. Vijay Shekhar Sharma himself confirmed it for us.
From IWTK, with love 💌
An Easter Egg in a Bollywood film - did you know Saif Ali Khan in his film Chef, references Dil Chahta Hai especially his sequence in Goa.
India Wants To Know on Instagram: ”🔥Did you know that there is a Dil Chahta Hai Easter egg in Chef? 👨🍳Chef (2017) starring Saif Ali Khan is an official remake of that Jon Favreau 2014 classic of the same name. The story follows Roshan Kalra (Saif) who embarks on his path to enlightenment from the USA to Kerala, Goa and other beautiful places. 🎭🌴 In the movie, there’s a fleeting mention of the classic Dil Chahta Hai when Roshan Kalra recalls an embarrassing moment to his assistant Nuzrool in Goa about visiting the place 20 years ago with his 2 friends and getting robbed. Saif is obviously talking about his character Sameer from DCH visiting Goa (with Akash & Sid) and succumbing to his desires for Kristine who plunders his personal belongings in an outlandish situation. Even his mention of 20 years is (almost) a tribute to 2001, the year when Dil Chahta Hai was released! It’s a rare privilege to find such inside jokes in Bollywood films. What’s your favourite Easter egg that you’ve seen in Indian films? Share in the comments below 👇”
May 31, 2023
Did you know that Abhishek Bachchan had a cameo in the film Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham which was removed. See it here.
India Wants To Know on Instagram: “Before we talk about the story, Happy Birthday @bachchan 🥳🥳 As the iconic Bollywood film “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham” turns 21 this year, we take a trip down memory lane to relive the moments that made this film a cult classic. The film, directed by the one and only Karan Johar, starred an ensemble cast of Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Kajol, and Hrithik Roshan, with a special appearance by Rani Mukerji. But did you know that Abhishek Bachchan also made an appearance in the film? Abhishek may have been cut from the final edit, but he still left a lasting impression on the fans. In a deleted scene, Abhishek shared the screen with Kareena Kapoor, adding more “josh” to the film. Fans have expressed their love for Abhishek’s cameo, calling it “funny and cute”. One fan even joked, “Time flies when you’re having fun, but it stops for Abhishek Bachchan asking for the time”. We also take a moment to wish @bachchan a very happy birthday. We love your movies and keep making more ❤️Happy birthday, Abhishek Bachchan 🥳🥳🥳 . . . . #reels#indiawantstoknow#bollywood#srk#srkedits#srkfanclub#deepikapadukone#deepika#bollywoodsongs#bollywoodmovies#bollywoodstyle#bollywoodfashion#bollywoodfilm#pathaan#pathanmovie#srkfan#srkfans#bollywoodfilm#bollywoodfans#bollywoodmemes#bollywoodtrolls#bollywoodcomedy”