Jai Mehta, chairman of Mehta Group and husband of Juhi Chawla, continues the legacy of his grandfather Nanji Kalidas Mehta who built a successful multinational empire in…
Jai Mehta, husband of Bollywood actress Juhi Chawla, is the chairman of the Mehta Group, a multinational conglomerate operating across industries such as cement, building materials, engineering, sugar, tea, coffee, textiles, and cotton. This business empire, now worth Rs 4,171 crores, owes its foundation to Jai Mehta’s grandfather, Nanji Kalidas Mehta, a visionary industrialist and social reformer.
Nanji Kalidas Mehta was born in Gujarat in 1887 and moved to British East Africa at the young age of 13. With determination and foresight, he laid the groundwork for a business empire that spanned East Africa and India. Starting small in the cement industry, Nanji steadily expanded into multiple sectors, including sugar, textiles, and cotton. In 1924, he established the Uganda Sugar Factory, which significantly boosted the sugar industry in the region. He also exported Ugandan cotton to Japan, further strengthening his business ties.
In India, Nanji played a key role in industrialization by founding Maharana Mills in 1932 and Saurashtra Cement Limited in 1956. His efforts not only contributed to the economic development of the region but also created numerous employment opportunities.
Beyond business, Nanji was deeply committed to social reform. As a member of the Arya Samaj, he actively promoted education by establishing schools and colleges in both East Africa and India. He was also a pioneer in inclusiveness, hiring people from scheduled castes despite facing social challenges of his time.
Nanji married twice and had four children. His son Mahendra Mehta and grandsons, including Jai Mehta, have continued his legacy. Under Jai Mehta’s leadership, the Mehta Group has reached new heights and even ventured into sports by co-owning the Kolkata Knight Riders IPL team.
Nanji Kalidas Mehta passed away in 1969, but his contributions to industry and society remain influential. His visionary thinking and hard work continue to inspire, making the Mehta Group a global powerhouse.
