Raj Kundra’s Biography

Raj Kundra is a British-Indian entrepreneur and businessman who gained prominence in India following his marriage to the renowned Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty in 2009. In 2004, he achieved recognition as the 198th wealthiest British Asian according to the Sussexes. Discovering the intriguing tale of his transformation from being born into a modest Punjabi family to attaining success as a thriving businessman adds an enthralling dimension to his journey.

Raj Kundra’s Profile Summary

Raj Kundra’s Family

Let me share with you the inspiring story of how Raj Kundra rose above his humble beginnings in a modest middle-class family to achieve success as a thriving businessman. Raj Kundra, whose birthdate is September 9, 1975, was born in London, United Kingdom, and his given name is Ripu Sudan Kundra. His father, Balkrishna Kundra, along with his wife Usha Rani Kundra, relocated from their hometown of Ludhiana, Punjab, to London in pursuit of better opportunities.

In the early years, Raj’s father worked in a cotton factory and later secured a job as a bus conductor. After working diligently for a few years, he embarked on his entrepreneurial journey by establishing a small business. Through careful savings, he eventually purchased a post office in London. It may seem peculiar, but in Britain, it is indeed possible to acquire a post office. Alongside her husband’s endeavors, Raj’s mother, Usha Rani, also contributed to the family income by working in a shop.

This background laid the foundation for Raj Kundra’s resilience and drive to pursue his dreams, propelling him on a path towards becoming a successful businessman.

Education

During his upbringing, Raj Kundra was gradually maturing, receiving his primary education at a school in London. As he reached the age of 18, his father presented him with a proposition: accomplish something noteworthy within six months, or join the family business. Having experienced a childhood marked by severe poverty, Raj was determined not to confine himself to the family business. Instead, he sought a different path and, with some financial support from his father, ventured to Dubai to explore opportunities in the diamond trade.

Venture In Dubai

However, Raj Kundra’s business venture in Dubai did not yield the expected results. Subsequently, he found himself traveling to Nepal for some work-related matters. It was during his time there that he discovered a captivating opportunity – Pashmina shawls being sold at remarkably low prices in the local markets. Recognizing their true value, Kundra seized the moment and purchased over 100 shawls before returning to London.

New Opportunity

Upon arriving in London, Kundra seized the opportunity to connect with prominent cloth merchants who shared his enthusiasm for Pashmina shawls. The shawls quickly gained popularity across the United Kingdom, resulting in substantial sales. In that particular year, Kundra achieved a remarkable feat, generating a revenue of over 20 million euros solely from the sale of these shawls. At the age of 29, in the year 2004, he attained the impressive position of being the 198th wealthiest Asian in the UK.

Since then, Raj Kundra has continuously forged ahead, embarking on diverse business ventures across multiple sectors including real estate, steel scrap, cricket, online gaming, and the film industry. Notably, on January 16, 2012, Kundra joined forces with Bollywood luminary Sanjay Dutt to establish India’s pioneering mixed martial arts fight league called “The Super Fight League.” This groundbreaking endeavor marked a significant milestone in the realm of combat sports within the country.

His Second Marriage

After separating from Kavita, Raj Kundra tied the knot with renowned Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty on November 22, 2009. Interestingly, their initial encounter took place in London during a business meeting where Raj aided Shilpa in promoting her fragrance brand S2. When the media started speculating about their relationship, Raj dismissed the rumors, stating that they were simply acquaintances and maintained a business association through Shilpa’s perfume venture.

Furthermore, following his marriage to Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty in 2009, Raj Kundra and Shetty also made investments in the IPL team Rajasthan Royals. However, in 2021, Mumbai Crime Branch investigations unveiled Kundra’s involvement in the porn industry, with investments ranging from ₹8 crores to ₹10 crores. It was estimated that he generated a daily income of approximately ₹4 lakhs to ₹6 lakhs from his ventures in the adult entertainment industry.

Controversy

In 2009, Raj Kundra, along with his second wife Shilpa Shetty, made investments in the IPL team Rajasthan Royals. However, in June 2013, the Delhi Police arrested several players from the Rajasthan Royals on charges of involvement in betting during IPL matches, leading to Kundra being interrogated. Subsequently, due to insufficient evidence, the Delhi Police cleared Kundra of any wrongdoing. However, in 2015, the Supreme Court of India imposed a ban on all cricket-related activities involving Raj Kundra.

His Achievements

On January 20, 2020, Raj Kundra was honored with the Champion of Change Award 2019 by the President of India at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. He received this prestigious recognition for his active involvement in the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Campaign).

Raj Kundra Net Worth

When it comes to Raj Kundra’s overall wealth, his net worth is estimated to be approximately $550 million, equivalent to about 4017 crores. He boasts a diverse portfolio of businesses, including serving as the CEO of JL Stream Pvt Ltd, which encompasses social media live streaming platforms. In 2014, Kundra established Viaan Industries, and in 2012, he pioneered the Super Fight League, India’s first professional mixed martial arts fighting league.

Furthermore, Raj Kundra, alongside his wife Shilpa, was a co-owner of the IPL team Rajasthan Royals until 2013. In addition to his business ventures, Raj indulges in a luxurious lifestyle with an impressive car collection that includes notable vehicles such as a BMW Z4. His striking blue Lamborghini car has garnered significant attention. Raj also possesses a sea-facing villa in Mumbai, known as Kinara, where he currently resides with his family.

In 2012, Raj purchased an opulent flat spanning 3000 square feet in Noida’s Supernova building, which boasts 80 stories, making it the tallest building in India. Additionally, he acquired a lavish 7-bedroom villa named Rajpalace in Surrey, UK, where he enjoys spending holidays with his wife Shilpa. While in Dubai, he initially bought an apartment on the 19th floor of the iconic Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. However, his wife Shilpa sold the property in 2016 as it proved to be too small for their growing family.

Facts You Want To Know

• Raj Kundra was born on September 9, 1975, in London, UK.
• He comes from a Punjabi Hindu family and experienced a childhood marked by poverty.
• His father worked as a bus conductor in London.
• At the age of 18, he borrowed money from his father and went to Dubai to start a diamond business, but the venture did not succeed.
• During a visit to Nepal, he discovered Pashmina Shawls being sold at very affordable prices in the local markets.
• He bought 100 shawls and returned to London, where he successfully sold them to cloth merchants.
• The quality of the shawls impressed the merchants, and soon they became popular all over Britain.
• Raj Kundra got divorced from his first wife, Kavita Kundra, in 2005 and later married Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty in 2009.
• He has a strong devotion to Lord Shri Ganesha.
• By selling shawls, Raj Kundra earned more than 20 million euros in a year.
• In 2004, at the age of 29, he became the 198th richest British Asian.