Indias Top 50 Powerful People

5055 power
people
The
Highest
CircleThe new club of the power elite,still dominated by moguls
and mavens,is a celebration of India’s creative brio as well
I
t is as if only irony alone can bring some cheer to these bleak times.
The most feted millionaire today in India and elsewhere is a
slumdog. Maybe, as in the movie, only wit and perseverance can
keep you on top of the game at a time when the lights are going out
all over the highest shrines of capitalism. In the gathering darkness,
desperate invocations have a socialist resonance. And suddenly, the
cold breeze of mortality is wafting across the pinstriped republic of
plutocrats, that sovereign state within the state that looked infallible
till the other day. The unthinkable is upon us. The masters of the
universe have feet of clay. Still, despite all the news of Apocalypse
Tomorrow, let’s not be fooled. The traditional relationship between
wealth and power remains intact. The front row of the power elite—
the Establishment—is reserved for people who know how to create
wealth and play with it, no matter even if they are poorer by a few
billions in the wake of the economic downturn. The sweep of their
power, though, is not directly proportional to the size of their wealth;
and that is why the richest is not necessarily the most powerful. Power
is all about the ideas and attitude of the one who wields it. The
business class that still dominates the Higher Circle tells more than a
story of survival; it essays the boldness and ingenuity of a few who still
make a difference to the lives of the rest—for better or worse. Today,
in the age of bail-outs and stimulus plans, they may have realised the
uses of governments but their power is not subordinate to the rulers
of the day. That said, the INDIA TODAY Power List 2009 shows a shift in
hierarchy, a shift that reflects an India where the money is matched
by the mind. India is the stage on which some of the most exuberant
shows on earth are mounted. India is the page on which some of the
finest words are written. And we won’t be surprised if Jai Ho becomes
a global ring tone. Call it the reach of India’s soft power. As the
bad news from the free market multiplies, there is at least something
to be happy about: the cultural capital is not melting down. And this
list, though mostly populated by the usual suspects of moguls and
mavens, is a celebration of India’s creative brio as well. The classical
architecture of the Establishment—built on the triangular structure
of government, the military, and business—hardly exists in democra-
cies. Usurpers and innovators continue to shatter its cosy equilibrium.
The rustle of the following pages carries the power of the few whose
privilege may be exclusive but not eternal.
By S. Prasannarajan

NeverSayDie
Becausein India’s hour of terror, he acted
more statesmanlike than any politician.
Because he spoke for the nation in every
crisis, whether at Singur or when The Taj was
being attacked in Mumbai, personifying
India’s fighting spirit by ensuring the hotel
reopened within a month.
Because he embodies ethical entrepreneur-
ship even when being challenged with
dire circumstances and notwithstanding
Mamata Banerjee’s opposition, will roll out the
Nano at the promised price this year.
Because despite the recession, his group’s
turnover will touch $100 billion this year,
and he has not yielded to pessimism, whether
on Corus or on the Jaguar Land Rover deal.
thebignumberA valuation of $10 billion
for the telecom business when the Japanese
major DoCoMo paid $2.7 billion for a
26 per cent stake.
Y2KMost of the cars that he drives have
the number 2000.
71,Industrialist (1)
RATAN
TATA
1
BANDEEPSINGH
hotwheels A Metallic Blue Maserati.
quotablequote“Some Ms are good
and some are bad.”
isknowntoTake the controls of
his private jets.

34 INDIA TODAY ◆ MARCH 16, 2009
WealthCreator
Because he did not succumb to
either corporate fad or government
pressure, staying away from invest-
ing in overseas acquisitions and
sticking to building greenfield
assets that deliver 20 per cent
returns on investment.
Because RIL is likely to end the year
with a growth of over 20 per cent with
income rising to over Rs 1,60,000
crorefromRs1,39,269crorelastyear,
and at a time when everyone is
strapped for money, he is swimming
in nearly Rs 30,000 crore of cash.
Because his gas fields KG-D6
will begin production this month,
saving India over $10 billion in
foreign exchange.
isproudthatLow cost gas from
KG-D6 will bring down subsidies on
power, fertiliser and LPG costs,
therefore the fiscal deficit.
currentobsessionPreparing
twins Akash and Isha who are
leaving to study in the US.
MUKESH
AMBANI
2
5055 power
people
hebelievesHis dream of farm-to-
fork revolution will happen next.
BANDEEPSINGH
powermomentFirst Indian to
meet US President Barack Obama
within a month of his taking office.
agenda2009Supporting wife
Nita in her quest to help Mumbai
Indians win IPL Season 2 and shift-
ing into their new home on Alta-
mount Road before the new year.

MARCH 16, 2009 ◆ INDIA TODAY 35
MrBig
Because he is Mr Big in every
segment he has a presence in, from
power to entertainment, from roads
to coalfields.
Because his influence across the
country’s political spectrum is unmat-
ched and he bagged three big ticket
power projects even with an
unfriendly government.
Because by 2015, he could be the
biggest infrastructure player in India.
Because he is setting up 32,000 MW
of generating capacity, building
500 km of roads, the Delhi Airport
Express Metro line as well as the
Mumbai Metro project.
Because even as many are down-
sizing, he will be adding 16,000
employees this year.
Because his tie-up with Steven
Spielberg and movie production
alliances with Hollywood stars from
George Clooney to Nicolas Cage
make him a formidable name on the
entertainment marquee.
ideaofabingeKesar pista ice
cream on Wednesday nights at
India Gate on the way to the
airport to fly back to Mumbai
on his Global Express.
isproudaboutThe 700-bed super
specialty hospital which has been
set up by wife Tina.
ANIL
AMBANI
3
BANDEEPSINGH
ishappyaboutHaving improved
his mileage. He now runs 18 km
every day.
imagemakeoverHas now
switched from flashy Armani to
conservative suits.

RingKing
Becausein a business where he is competing
with Tata, Birla, Ambani and Vodafone, he
is the biggest, and in an era of gloom, has proved
to be an island of boom.
Because given the lead of 25 million, even if
Airtel stood still, it would take the nearest
competitor nearly 12 months to catch up.
Because with annualised revenues of Rs 38,000
crore for 2008-09 and profit before tax of
Rs 15,000 crore, Airtel is among the most effi-
cient money machines and by 2013, Bharti will
be a trillion-rupee group.
Because he is engaged in the transformation of
telecom into a lifestyle business, ranging from
calls to games, from movies to music, making a
big play for the Indian mind-share with Bharti
Airtel Triple Play, Telephone, Broadband and TV,
on a single line.
Because Best Price, his tie-up with Walmart,
will take off by June. Because without doubt, he
is the face of the new Indian entrepreneur.
littleknownfactAirtel has over one million
outlets and recharge stores.
islookingforwardtoHis daughter Eiesha’s
wedding this summer.
5055 power
people
SUNIL
MITTAL
4
BANDEEPSINGH
musicmeansGhazals by Jagjit Singh.
fitnessisWalking for an hour in Lodhi Gardens.

YesHeKhan
Because he is everywhere, at once, as a movie actor, cricket team owner,
television producer, sometime television host and ambassador of 10 brands,
who was the most visible celebrity on TV in 2008.
Because everything he does makes headline news, from a tiff with Salman
Khan to a patch-up with Amitabh Bachchan and his film, Rab Ne Bana Di
Jodi, almost salvaged a studio, Yash Raj Films.
Because he is emerging as a spokesman for Islam at a time when the religion
is under global attack and though Pepsi may have dropped him as their
brand ambassador, young people see him as a Bollywood outsider who made it
to the top through sheer grit.
Because whether it is anchoring a film awards night or promoting his movie
in a reality show, he can be counted on to perform.
biggestjoySleeping in bed between his children Aryan and Suhana and
constantly being kicked by them. And watching them ski in Austria.
latestreadsThe Yuck Book. “My daughter made me read it.” Artemis
Fowl’s The Time Paradox and Daniel Suarez’s Daemon.
5055 power
people
43,Actor (6)
SHAH RUKH
KHAN
5
funniestthinganyoneeversaidtohimNice try, sir. An SMS from
someone after one of his movies.
BHASKARPAUL

ManintheMiddle
Because his support to the govern-
ment makes it compliant to his demands
and the moment he criticised the then fi-
nance minister P. Chidambaram for in-
flation and Petroleum Minister Murli
Deoraforhis‘anti-people’(readanti-Anil
Ambani) policies, the media assumed
there would be a reshuffle.
Because when the Congress dithered
over seat sharing in Uttar Pradesh, he
worked out a political realignment with
Sharad Pawar over dinner that brought
the Congress to the negotiating table.
the rethink “I have already said that
1999 was a mistake,” he says, explain-
ing Samajwadi Party’s decision not to
support a Congress government at
the Centre then.
and finally Has stopped wearing his
10-carat diamond ring because “people
said I was wearing it for my Venus
angle but the real reason is that my
wife gave it to me”.
54,Politician (new)
AMAR
SINGH
6
5055 power
people
HeavyMetal
Because in a year when the economy is in a state of shock, the
group is set to double its revenues from last year and with new busi-
nesses, expansion in steel as also the refinery going on-stream, their
revenues will touch a trillion rupees by 2011.
Because while other companies are talking about shelving plans,
the brothers are investing over Rs 15,000 crore in steel alone,
taking their production capacity to
14 metric tonnes per annum, and pledg-
ing over half-a-billion dollars to telecom
operations in Africa.
Because their businesses span sectors,
from 1,500 gas stations through which
they will retail petroleum products
across India to Aegis, their BPO opera-
tions with 35,000 employees.
YASBANTNEGI
SHASHIKANT
& RAVI RUIA
7
65 and 59,Industrialists (12)
littleknownfactWith 10,000 employees in the US, Essar Group
is the largest Indian employer there.
smartstrategyWith a majority of group companies privately-
held, the Ruias are insulated from the vagaries of the stock market.
exchange programme Substi-
tuted Prakash Karat for the Gandhis as
his new best friends. Says he sees “a
ray of hope” in Sonia and Rahul.
recessionmantraKeep your head down, believe in yourself
and your people during tough times.
Ravi (left) and
Shashikant

HeirRising
Because despite the economic downturn, the
consolidated revenues of the Aditya Birla Group
are still $28 billion and he has a footprint that
straddles 25 countries.
Because his companies have attained global
leadership and are among the world’s most cost-
efficient copper and aluminum producers.
Because a year of quiet consolidation has seen
the Group’s retail operations touch 615 super-
markets and two hypermarkets.
Because thanks to a new will by
grandfather B.K. Birla, a large part
of the Rs 5,000-crore empire will be
inherited by him.
roadaheadWants to make the Aditya Birla
Group a part of the Fortune 150 club by 2014.
5055 power
people
NewsWorthies
Becausenot only do they have the largest selling English
language daily in the country at 32 lakh copies a day, and
the largest English language financial daily selling seven
lakh copies every day, but also their television news chan-
nel has become the highest rated in that genre.
Because they are the largest private players in radio, with
32 stations across India, to which they have added a for-
eign acquisition, Virgin Radio, as well.
Because they are the only ones brave enough to launch a
business channel slam bang in the middle of a recession.
Because with cash reserves of Rs 3,400 crore, they are
best equipped to ride the economic storm.
thebigacquisitionOf the soon-to-be-husband of
back-from-Stanford daughter Trishala who has been
ensconced in the fourth floor of Times House.
AMITKUMAR
8
SAMIR & VINEET
JAIN
54 and 42,Media Barons (9)
NARENDRABISHT
BHASKARPAUL
recessionmantraConsistent cost manage-
ment is holding the group in good stead today.
bigchangeMother Indu Jain no longer visits the office.
biggest stress buster Shooting
with his Morini pistol at the
Maharashtra Rifle Association’s
shooting range in Worli, Mumbai.
thebigdivideThe Vice-Chairman now looks after print
and the Managing Director after everything else.
facingtheaxeThe Times of India’s edit page.
9
KUMAR MAN-
GALAM BIRLA
Samir (left)
and Vineet

MasterofAllTrades
Because he is steering the makeover of
the eponymous GMR Group from a domestic player in
the infrastructure business to a global player with a
presence in seven countries.
Because with the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in
Hyderabad, completed in a record 30 months in March
last year, he proved India can have world class facilities.
Because even as the Group builds the new terminal at
the Delhi airport, it has ensured an enduring connect
with the Delhi Daredevils in the IPL contest.
bigbuyAcquisition of 50 per cent stake in Intergen, a
leading global power generation company, at a cost of
approximately $1 billion, making the Group the largest
private power generation company in India.
littleknownfactA mechanical engineer by training,
he was employed in the Public Works Department of
Andhra Pradesh before he resigned to turn a jute trader.
G.M.
RAO
10
5055 power
people
TheMaestro
Because his recently-acquired hard-
ware underlines India’s growing soft power
and his twin Oscar wins have made him the
country’s golden boy.
Because he is every international artist’s
first choice for collaboration in India,
whether it is Kylie Minogue or Akon.
Because he is an amazing amalgam of
Indian multiculturalism: born a Hindu, he
converted to Islam at his mother’s behest
and gave his first public performance in a
church as an 11-year-old.
Because his music, a blend of raga and
reggae, jazz and hip-hop, has opened the
world’s eyes to the dazzling possibilities of
Indian film sound.
loves to Surf the Internet on his
MacBook and ensures that everyone in
his team uses the same too.
first stop anywhere Mosque and
then an electronics shop. Currently
devoted to the Continuum fingerboard.
A.R.
RAHMAN
11
43,Music Director (47)
APRABHAKARRAO
AFP
shouldbeembarrassedaboutThe foray into insu-
rance, creating ING Vysya and finally pulling out of it.
time out None. While the rest of the
world is celebrating his win, he has got
back to work, completing his pending
projects in India for “furious directors”.

TheFrugalBillionaire
Because he steers India’s No. 3 soft-
ware services exporter without worrying
about the high volatility of the IT industry.
Becausewithacashchestof$500million,
he is looking for acquisitions abroad and
plans to beef up his company’s position in
France and Germany.
Because in keeping with deep personal
values of corporate governance, he ap-
proached the Madras High Court to stop
the proposed reverse merger between
Subhiksha and Blue Green Constructions
and Investments, even though his invest-
ment firm, PremjiInvest, had bought a 10
per cent stake in the retail chain from ICICI
Ventures for around $150 million last year.
management mantra When you
over-pay people based on their results, it
can generate very distorted behaviours.
little known fact He fulfilled his teen-
age wish, 33 years on, by completing his
electrical engineering at Stanford, in 1999.
62,Businessman (11)
AZIM HASHAM
PREMJI
13
12
5055 power
people
MadeinBharat
Because by launching the Xylo, a
multi-utility vehicle, at the gloomiest point
for the automobile industry, he has dis-
played entrepreneurial courage.
Because with market leadership in trac-
tors, utility vehicles, farm equipment, a fi-
nance company that lends to rural
households, an SEZ and a realty division, he
is all set to bring Bharat back to India.
Because his joint venture with BAE
Systems sets him up to be one of the biggest
players in India’s emerging defence sector.
Because he is one of the most articulate
Indian voices at various international
fora, from Aspen to Davos.
isproudthatMahindra Realty is a
debt-free company. And that one in two
tractors in the country carries the
Mahindra badge.
littleknownfactThe 155 mm howitzer,
known to Indians as the Bofors gun, is
now in the Mahindra-BAE stable.
ANAND
MAHINDRA
NAMASBHOJANI
SHRIYAPATILSHINDE

MrSolution
Because he is the go-to guy for gov-
ernment and business, whether it
is Satyam or the troubled US-64.
Because in a year of edifices turning to
dust, HDFC will close with an estimated
growth of 19 per cent.
Because he brings credibility to what-
ever he does, whether it is putting the
nuts and bolts of the new pension policy
in place or advising the Government on
providing affordable housing to the
masses in the country.
Because the rumour is that he knows
someone on a first name basis on the
board of every Fortune 500 company.
recession mantra Be cautious and
conservative in such times. Don’t focus
on market share, instead concentrate
on the bottom line.
favourite getaways London and
New York, where he enjoys a game of
cricket or tennis during the season.
TheColorsofMoney
Because from measuring the heartbeat of the
Bombay Stock Exchange, his network now
increases the pulse rate of prime time viewers,
with his new channel Colors within striking dis-
tance of the nine-year-long No. 1, Star Plus.
Because three of the biggest hits of last year,
SinghisKinng,GolmaalReturnsandGhajini,were
owned or distributed by The Indian Film Company.
Because while his two business channels con-
tinue to dominate their spaces, he is expanding
into new media, with Homeshopping18 a Rs 200-
crore property in its second year, and in.com
becoming the second largest Indian general inter-
est portal within six months of its launch.
thebigdiscoveryThat he likes watching
soaps, especially of his own channel. “Balika
Vadhu for sure, and occasionally, Jaane Kya
Baat Hui, Uttaran and Jeevan Saathi”.
wishhecouldhaveKept some extra cash to
buy media assets which are currently available
at such mouth-watering discounts.
roadaheadOfficially it’s his last year
in office and July onwards he’ll be busy
planning his exit from the company.
RAJKUMAR
5055 power
people
64,Banker (15)
DEEPAK
PAREKH
14
15
49,Media Baron (18)
RAGHAV
BAHL
HEMANTCHAWLA

5055 power
people
InHisOwnLeague
Because Jaane Tu…Ya Jaane Na, which he
produced, and Ghajini, which he starred in, were
two of the biggest hits of last year, grossing over
Rs 350 crore at the box office.
Because he is the Establishment’s first choice, be
it endorsing the Ministry of Tourism’s Incredible
India campaign or lecturing at the Lal Bahadur
Shastri Academy of Administration in Mussoorie.
Because he is the face of six brands—his last deal
with Tata Sky wrapped at Rs 14 crore a year.
Because he acquired the best body in Khandom
and made the eight-pack part of public discourse.
bigsurpriseThat he hasn’t signed on anything
after Raju Hirani’s forthcoming film 3 Idiots and
has only a cameo as a painter in wife Kiran Rao’s
experimental film Dhobi Ghat.
idea of extravagance Gifting a 7-Series BMW to
his nephew after the release of his movie and hiring
a helicopter to make it to his wedding anniversary.
43,Actor (38)
AAMIR
KHAN
16
BusinessAsUnusual
Because the Jaypee Group’s ambitious Ganga
Express-way project across 14 districts of Uttar
Pradesh will benefit at least 20 million people.
Because it became India’s largest private
hydropower producer with the commissioning
of the 400 MW Vishnu Prayag station and doubled
its cement production capacity from nine million
tonnes to 18 million tonnes per year.
Because with power, cement, infrastructure, hos-
pitality, real estate and education, the Rs 5,500-
crore Jaypee Associates has a foothold in 14 states
and is the only group in the country that successfully
completed two power projects in Jammu & Kashmir
in the last decade—Dulhasti and Baglihar.
Because he has a great equation with the chief
minister of Uttar Pradesh.
the turning point The death of his elder
brother in 1946 in an accident. Gaur says it
changed his life, making him a man of steel. He
says he has not cried since.
real estate watch A township developed by the
Group at Patiali in Etah district, Uttar Pradesh, over
a 12-year period, at an investment of Rs 25,000
crore. Says it will be bigger than Chandigarh city.
J.P.
GAUR
17
BANDEEPSINGH
HEMANTCHAWLA
currently negotiating The purchase of a
housing society in Santa Cruz, Mumbai.

Because everyone who is in trouble or who believes he
could be in trouble wants him in their corner, whether it is
arch-rivals Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mayawati or long-
time foes Lalit Modi and Subhash Chandra.
Because there is hardly any corporate case that he is not ar-
guing and hardly any politician who hasn’t sought his advice.
Because he usually wins the cases he fights.
big acquisition A 7-series BMW, breaking his promise to
himself that he would “behave”.
nice guy move Every evening he helps his wife
Meenakshi set up a stained-glass showroom by typing e-
mails and suggesting marketing strategies. As he quips,
“it’s from maximum wages to minimum in the evenings”.
HARISH
SALVE
18
53,Advocate,(26)
IAmLegend
Because a chance remark from him on
his blog about Slumdog Millionaire can set
off a global controversy.
Because he is an easy target for marginal
politicians like Raj Thackeray, looking to
establish his political party.
Because after 40 years in the profession,
he still remains at the top of the game, and
is head of a family that includes an articu-
late Rajya Sabha MP, an actor who works
with the best directors in the business, and
another actor who is India’s best-known
international beauty.
Because the family endorses as many as
10 brands combined and whatever he does
sets off a trend, whether it is blogging or
walking the red carpet to support his chil-
dren, be it for Pink Panther 2 or Delhi-6.
favourite pastime Posting blogs
that he discusses at times with his family.
embarrassing moment Walking away
from Rekha at an awards show when it
looked like she was going to kiss him next.
19
66,Actor (16)
AMITABH
BACHCHAN
TheArgumentativeIndian
BANDEEPSINGH
BANDEEP SINGH
what excites him Taking on a former Pakistani
minister in a television debate or arguing against OBC
reservation in Central government educational institutions.
When Salve talks, people usually listen.

AlltheRightMoves
Because he is now Disney’s point man in
India, with one of the world’s most powerful
empiresacquiringa60percentstakeinUTV
Software and 37.29 per cent in UTV Group.
BecauseUTV’spresencenowspansaworld
movies channel to a business news network,
gaming to the Internet, and the group has
emerged as a global business, with 200 of its
1,000 employees based overseas.
Because UTV has shown an unusual flour-
ish in backing sensible cinema, from the
edgy terror thriller A Wednesday to the cult
youth film Dev D.
acquisition A third gaming company
and a dream home in Breach Candy that
he and his wife worked on for five years.
isreadingBillion-Dollar Lessons by Paul
B. Carroll and a lot of scripts.
5055 power
people
RebuildingIndia
Because after reorganising their
infrastructure entity, all projects are
on track even in the current downturn,
and they have refurbished the domes-
tic terminal at Mumbai airport, begun
work on a new terminal as well as kick-
started the 540 MW Goindwal Sahib
power project in Punjab.
Because they have entered into a new
arena by signing up a greenfield port
project in Gujarat and have opened a
new luxury hotel in Chennai.
Because GVK Bio is poised to become
a leader among biotechnology compa-
nies across the world.
favourite vacation spot London
for GVK, Maldives for Sanjay.
diet secret Regular diet coupled
with rigorous exercise for GVK;
Sanjay generally avoids carbo-
hydrates and desserts at night.
APRABHAKARRAO
20
51,Media Baron (24)
RONNIE
SCREWVALA
72and44,Industrialists(23)
21G.V.K. & SANJAY
REDDY
SHRIYAPATILSHINDE
unusual hobby Gardening for GVK
and deep-sea diving for Sanjay.
signature look Canali suits and
Versace ties for GVK.
Sanjay (left) and
G.V.K. Reddy

57,Businessman (20)
SUBHASH
CHANDRA
22
5055 power
people
BatsmanForever
Because his word is the gold standard on any cricket issue.
Becauseinhis20thyearincricket,heisnotonlyhissport’sPeter
Pan but also owns all the records that matter, most runs and most
centuries both in Tests and ODIs.
Because when Adam Gilchrist criticised him in his book, a
billion people took offence and the Australian cricketer found his
column on an Indian website dropped overnight.
Because when Madame Tussauds measured him for a wax
exhibit last month, India wondered what took them so long.
power tribute Uber-luxury watch-
makers Audemars Piguet’s limited edition
Sachin Tendulkar chronograph to mark
his 35 Test centuries, releasing just 350
pieces, with the colours of the Indian flag
on the strap and his jersey number, 10,
bigger and brighter than the rest.
guestappearancesHe shows up at his children’s school
sports day if he is in town, usually as chief guest.
TheFirstMogul
Because he is the elder statesman among
media moguls in the country and has a finger in
every media pie, from satellite networks to
cable distribution, from DTH to print.
Because he never gives up and has taken his bat-
tle with BCCI on the Indian Cricket League to the ICC.
Becausehe has friends and well-wishers across
all political parties and got the President of India
to inaugurate his pet project, The Global Pagoda,
which has the Buddha’s relics in the world’s
tallest pillarless dome.
Because Zee TV may be No. 3 in the Hindi en-
tertainment channels but his regional business,
from Marathi to Bangla, is growing fine.
stylestatementMaintains a
distinctive lock of undyed white hair.
is passionate about Vipassana. Attended
a programme in 1990, does a 10-day course
every year and practices for 45 minutes daily.
MANDARDEODHAR
35,Cricketer (25)
23
SACHIN
TENDULKAR
AFP
new passion Interfaith communication,
which he has made a personal mission by
co-founding the Global Foundation for
Civilisational Harmony.
also known as Master Blaster to the outside world, he is
addressed as paaji (elder brother) by his younger teammates.

coolnewtoys3G iphone and Mac Book
Air for Kalanidhi; Canon EOS-1D Mark III
camera for Dayanidhi.
centreofgravityDaughter Kaviya for
Kalanidhi.
TamilTigers
Because the brothers were able
to manoeuvre out of a serious stand-
off with their grand uncle M.
Karunanidhi and re-establish their
strangleholdonthesatelliteandcable
business in the south.
Because the powerful presence of
one brother in mass media and the
other in party politics enables them to
pump prime their business.
Becausethey are expanding in every
arena, with four hit movies from their
newly launched film production com-
pany, and more niche additions to
their 20-channel Sun TV network.
43and42,MediaBaronandMP(31)
KALANIDHI &
DAYANIDHI MARAN
24
SANDEEPSINGH
TerraPharma
Because even as the world economy crumbles around
them, they have proved to be the smartest and the lucki-
est, selling a majority stake in Ranbaxy for Rs 10,000
crore, while retaining control of the company.
Because Malvinder Mohan Singh got the Japanese giant
Daichii-Sankyo to complete the acquisition of a 63.92 per
cent stake after the global meltdown late last year.
Because Shivinder Mohan Singh’s Fortis Healthcare
emergedfromyearsoflossestoposta21percentincrease
in consolidated total income in the last quarter.
yesit’strueTo avoid being dressed identically, turbans
included, the brothers call
each other every morning.
36 & 33,Industrialists,(New)
25MALVINDER MOHAN &
SHIVINDER MOHAN SINGH
5055 power
people
SIPRADAS
BANDEEPSINGH
payyourwayThe brothers
pay to use their own jets be-
cause ‘it’s a business venture,
not a lifestyle statement’.
MMSandSMSThat’s what friends call them. They
are both vegetarians, teetotallers, and devout followers of
the Radha Soami Satsang in Beas.
KALANIDHI
MARAN
DAYANIDHI
MARAN
SHIVINDER
MOHANAND
MALVINDER
MOHAN SINGH
SHIVINDER
MOHANAND
MALVINDER
MOHAN SINGH

5055 power
people
BankingonTrust
Because a lesser mortal would not have been
able to protect ICICI Bank from the heat of the
global meltdown.
Because everyone from Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh to P. Chidambaram to Montek Singh Ahluwalia
spoke up for him during the crisis and every corporate
chieftain worth his market cap vouched for the in-
tegrity of the bank.
Because ICICI is the largest private insurance
company, the topmost private equity player, the num-
ber one online broking outfit and the leader in retail
credit, with total assets of Rs 3.74 lakh crore and a
group income of Rs 62,000 crore.
milestone2009Will be chairman from May 1, but
his salary will take a big hit.
issureto beFollowing tennis and F1 racing.
62,Banker (13)
K.V.
KAMATH
27
REUTERS
CaptainCool
Because under his leadership, India won the
T20 World Cup and he is now captain of India in
all three forms of the game.
Because he has become the country’s most
sellable cricketer after Sachin Tendulkar, endors-
ing 15 brands, from clothes to cold drinks.
Because he is nobody’s puppet, ticking off the
national selectors this season for leaks from the
selection meeting.
latestacquisitionA Hummer to add to the four
cars and 17 high-speed motorcyles already parked
in his garage in Ranchi.
smartmoveBroke away from the sports mar-
keting agency that had signed him on, to join a
new company, Mindscapes India.
27,Cricketer,(35)
M.S.
DHONI
26
UMESHGOSWAMI
touchofclassWon heaps of praise for his
graciousness during the retirements of Anil Kumble
and Sourav Ganguly last season.

GIREESHGV
BigBrother
Because the one-time carpenter and
conductor has fanatics extending from Japan
to Korea, and his 38,000 registered fan clubs
around the world with an estimated 19 lakh
members are waiting for him to start his own
political party.
Because at Rs 26 crore a film, he’s the most
highly paid star in southern India.
Because every time he stars in a flop,
such as Kuselan, he compensates his
distributors and bounces back with a
big budget blockbuster, such as Shankar’s
Rs 150-crore film, Endiran.
Because no protest or celebration in Tamil
tinseltown is complete without his presence.
spiritualguruSwami Satchidananda of
Rishikesh, on whose call he made a movie,
Baba, before the Swami’s death in 2002.
unforgettablenumber10A, the route
number on which he was a conductor in his
early days in Bangalore.
5055 power
people
H.K.RAJASHEKAR
58,Actor,(28)
RAJINIKANTH 28
76,Engineer (19)
30
ELATTUVALAPIL
SREEDHARAN
53,Entrepreneur (New)
NANDAN
NILEKANI
29
BANDEEPSINGH
hispoliticaliconFormer Singapore
premier Lee Kuan Yew.
53,Entrepreneur (New)

Because the chairman of the $4.5 billion
IT behemoth wrote a bestselling book of ideas,
Imagining India, and has become an articu-
late catalyst of change, who’s embedded in
top government councils at home and in in-
fluential economic forums globally, repre-
senting the voice of India.
Because he’s the only Indian on the founda-
tion board of the World Economic Forum, is a
member of the prestigious Petersen Institute
of International Economics, and was again
the solitary Indian to have spoken at the invi-
tation-only Technology Entertainment and
Design (TED) in California.
Becausehe’s welcomed not just on the prime
minister’s council at the Centre but on numer-
ous committees of a rival state government.
awkwardmomentWife Rohini insists
on asking questions when he is delivering a
lecture in public.
proudmomentWhen wife Rohini set up
the Arghyam Foundation with a corpus of
Rs 150 crore to focus on water management.
TruthMascot
Because he’s the last word on objec-
tivity, whether it’s the Hyderabad Metro
project or the airport modernisation in
Delhi and Mumbai.
Because he has made the Capital appear
aworld-classmetropolis,makingtheDelhi
Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) the most
punctual metro transport in the world,
with 99.5 per cent punctuality last year.
Because DMRC has helped save over 700
lives till date by avoiding road accidents,
has reduced consumption of petrol, diesel
and CNG by 1,19,025 tonnes and saved 66
minutes every day per commuter.
strange,buttrueHasn’t taken a vaca-
tion in 20 years. His only break was taking
a few days off when travelling to England
on work, to spend time with his son.
isparticularaboutOften swipes his fin-
ger along the floor of the metro train as
well as the platform to check for dirt.
LandLord
Because despite the economic
downturn, he’s still one of the largest
private landholders in the country, with
751 million square feet of real estate
waiting to be built up.
Because he may have lost $27.2 bill-
ion since March, but his fortune is still
valued at $7.8 billion, down from $30
billion last year.
bigmantraProsperity is the time
for austerity. Don’t wait for adversity.
favouritehauntsHarry’s Bar and
Groucho Club, London, and Breeze, a
52nd floor rooftop Bangkok restaurant.77,Businessman (10)
K.P.
SINGH
31
CruiseControl
Because he will always have an
opinion and people who matter will
always lend an ear, especially now
that he has a bigger pulpit in the
Rajya Sabha.
Because the Bajaj Group revenues
are revving up to cross Rs 20,000
crore this year and Bajaj Auto, with
overRs7,000croreincashreserves,
is as good as a bank.
Because finally there is peace in
Hamara Bajaj—he not only settled
the Bajaj family dispute but also
put in place a succession plan,
with a business each for sons Rajiv
and Sanjeev.
Because Bajaj Auto owns 30 per
cent of Austrian performance bike
maker KTM.
littleknownfactBajaj has been
a debt-free company for 30 years.
uncannyknackTo be at the
right place at the right time. On
September 16, the day after Wall
Street collapsed, he was attending
the NYSE advisory board meeting.
BANDEEPSINGH
RAHUL
BAJAJ
32
TheThinkmaker
recessionindexHasn’t bought any-
thing new to wear in the past four years
because he realised he hadn’t worn 60
per cent of the clothes in his wardrobe.
HEMANTCHAWLA
how’sthelossaffectinghim?
“It’s only paper,” he says.

BANDEEPSINGH
GlobalWarmer
Becauseglobal warming is still the hottest subject around the world
and he remains one of its most visible proponents after being re-elected
chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Because he is a key adviser to the Central Government on the issue and
is equally sought after by state chief ministers.
68,Environmentalist (33)
RAJENDRA K.
PACHAURI
33
toughguytalk“Nothing that the world is doing today is sustainable.
We are going to cause enormous hardships for all species in the
planet. We need to mobilise the youth, that’s our only hope.”
bigacquisitionThe BlackBerry 9000.
PURUSHOTTAMDIWAKAR
66and41,MediaBarons(37)
RAMESH & SUDHIR
AGARWAL 35
KingofBling
Because whatever he does gets talked about,
whether it’s the good times or the bad times.
Because he’s still the second largest liquor baron in
the world, selling nearly three million bottles a day.
Because regardless of the losses, Kingfisher has
emerged as the leading player in terms of market
share after the merger with Deccan.
canheexplainSpending Rs 8 crore on Kevin
Pietersen for a team that can’t seem to win.
34VIJAY
MALLYA
5055 power
people
NoFullStops
Because the Dainik Bhaskar Group has a presence
in seven states, accounting for 30 per cent of the
country, and continues to expand, adding a Bangalore
edition to the Mumbai DNA and a Hindi business
daily, Business Bhaskar.
Because the group along with DNA is slated to close the
financial year with Rs 1,400 crore in revenue.
bigdiscoveryThe regional market is more valuable.
Metros only account for a fraction of the population.
recessionmantraGood times are boring and it’s the
tough times that spur good thinking.
SHEKHARGOSH
findstimeforPersonally supervising the scan-
tily clad model shoots on the Kingfisher calendar.
roadaheadThe company will focus on cutting costs
and consolidating its position in their existing markets.
timeoffHas just completed a novel, Return to Almora.
SUDHIR
(LEFT) AND
RAMESH

TheRightConnect
Because despite the slowdown, he is expanding in
every direction with Videocon launching its own DTH
service in April, mobile telephony service by July,
kickstarting 10 oil-fields in Brazil with Petrobras, invest-
ing in coal mines in Indonesia and building three power
projects in West Bengal, Gujarat and Chhattisgarh.
Because the price warrior of the consumer electronics
business will tote up group revenues of over Rs 19,000
crore this year, with Next becoming India’s largest
electronics goods retail chain with 1,100 stores, and
investments in the new big thing, energy.
Because he has a phalanx of stars at his beck and call.
magicmomentWhen Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh called Videocon the proud face of Global India.
hiddentalentCan recite shlokas and expound on
the Bhagavad Gita. Also plays the flute.
36
VENUGOPAL
DHOOT
FastandFurious
Because Season II of the IPL promises to be bigger,
bulkier and better, establishing the potent mix of big
business, Bollywood and India’s most powerful sport.
Because he’s forever controversial, whether it is
for his proximity to politicians or his confrontationist
stand against cricket’s Old Powers.
Because IPL’s success has “persuaded” otherwise
reluctant nations into agreeing to a window for a T20 club
event to keep their players happy.
35,Yoga Guru (46)
BABA
RAMDEV
37
TellyYogi
Becausehis followers continue to grow, as he acquires
the Aastha channel that gets him 20 million viewers daily,
conducts international camps and takes off on yoga cruises
at $1,000 ticket a head.
Because he is the richest yogi, having collected Rs 500
crore so far through his camps, and has celebrity fans
ranging from Lalu Prasad Yadav to Kangna Ranaut.
hislatestconquestThe IIM-A, where he talked about
Indian values in modern management techniques.
believeitornotInsists breathing exercises can rege-
nerate destroyed cells and help the HIV-positive recover.
YASBANTNEGI
BHASKARPAUL
45,Businessman (29)
LALIT
MODI
38
PURUSHOTTAMDIWAKAR
wantsIPLtobecomeLike F1, Wimbledon, Super Bowl.
lovestoCompose what
people say are the longest
emails ever received
from a BlackBerry.
realitycheckHis mentor Vasundhara Raje lost the
Rajasthan Assembly elections and he was defeated in
the Rajasthan Cricket Association’s elections.
managementstyleMicro. Is particular about who
gets VIP tickets, mostly allocating them himself.
35,Yoga Guru (46)

TryFlier
Because he is trying to weather
the storm in aviation by transitioning
from the traditional orthodox revenue
model to an innovative one—wet-leasing
his aircraft to other international airlines.
Because his airline still leads the pack
with a market share of over 25 per cent
and more than eight lakh passengers are
on board across 400 flights each day.
loomingairpocketNearly 30 per
cent of an airline’s operational costs are
pegged against the dollar.
bigachievementJet is cutting costs
in the back-end without compromising
on its renowned in-flight service.
BHASKARPAUL
60,Businessman (34)
NARESH
GOYAL
40
LeadersofthePack
Because 21 million people read
Dainik Jagran every day across 11
states and Jagran Prakash is a
listed media company with quality
market performance.
Because despite being a Rajya
Sabha member, Gupta Senior’s clout
extends across parties.
differentstrokesGupta Senior
prefers domestic destinations
for holidays, while the nephew
is a globe-trotter.
businessmantraWhile
Mahendra gives full credit to the
team for making the newspaper an
influential opinion-maker, Sanjay
is a man of few words.
MrPrudence
Because he is poised for a shot
at the leadership of the financial
sector as the titans ride into the
sunset, with Kotak Bank being the
fourth largest bank after HDFC,
ICICI and Axis, making it the largest
promoter-owned bank.
Because despite the global reces-
sion, his bank boasts of a capital
adequacy ratio of 21 per cent, and
in the shortest time, he has
straddled every slice of the financial
sector to emerge as a conglomerate
with18,000employeesandassetsof
over Rs 40,000 crore.
startedlifeBy walking around
Mumbai’s financial district,
helping traders discount bills.
littleknownfactHe is a
professionally trained sitar player.
5055 power
people
UDAY
KOTAK
41
49,Banker (New)
69and46,MediaBarons(45)
39
MAHENDRA MOHAN &
SANJAY GUPTA
UMESHGOSWAMI
BANDEEPSINGH
embarrassingmomentFired 1,900
of his staff, then took them back amidst
tears, calling them his ‘family’.
newobsessionApplying the
‘black swan’ theory on
current events.
laughtertherapy“CEOs are
handsome, entrepreneurs are ugly”.

5055 power
people
BrandWidth
Because despite its rapidly slipping ratings, NDTV
24X7 remains a strong news brand and he is still its most
credible anchor.
Because he’s a great media survivor in spite of a consol-
idated loss of Rs 120 crore last year in his entertainment
and news business.
momentoftruthLetter to staffers admitting the organi-
sation has “substantial flab” and “too many floaters”.
unusualhobbyWandering in the mango gardens in
his native village, Aragonda, 150 km from Chennai.
kinshipfactorThough none is a doctor, all his four
daughters—Preetha, Sunitha, Shobana, Sangeeta—two
adult grandsons and two adult granddaughters are in-
volved in managing the Apollo Group.
MotorcycleGuru
Because he’s the latest in a long line of Indian mystics capturing the
imagination of the West with 100 yoga centres around the world.
Because he spoke at the World Economic Forum in Davos three years in a row.
Because he makes a combination of yoga, green activism and spiritual therapy
seem as elevating as it is hip.
stylestatementGreen. Has initiated Project Green Hands, a move to increase
the green cover of Tamil Nadu by 33 per cent in the next 15 years.
powerpoint Endorsed by M. Karunanidhi, his
followers range from Nandita Das and Prahlad
Kakkar to Microsoft’s Ravi Venkatesh.
likestoGo for long rides on his BMW and
Harley Davidson bikes, gifted by devotees.
JAGGI
VASUDEV
44
52,Guru (New)
76,Doctor (42)
PRATHAP
C. REDDY
4359,Media Barons (22)
42
PRANNOY &
RADHIKA ROY
Because he is the largest private health care
provider in India and plans to ramp up infrastructure to
3,000 hospital beds, with 1,400 beds in Mumbai alone.
Because Apollo has fetched a record five global JCI ac-
creditations for developing world class hospitals with
top patient safety standards.
BANDEEPSINGH
APRABHAKARRAO
HealthEffect
whattheyneed
According to the letter to
their staff, more ideas on
how to cut costs.
ASHOKDAMODARAN
showofforceThreatening legal action against a blog-
ger for his comments on how star editor Barkha Dutt
covered the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai.

Because she’s the original style
icon who organises charity events
with as much panache as she does
black-tie dos for the Moet set.
Because neither Bollywood’s best
nor Hollywood’s hautest refuse to
support her Heroes Project for
AIDS awareness.
Because she’s one of the few people
on intimate terms with both the
Ambani brothers.
littleknownfactThat she is deeply
spiritual and visits a temple in Patiala
with the family every birthday.
thebigacquisitionHer son’s re-
turn to India, after many years, with
her daughter-in-law Karla.
BANDEEPSINGH
StraightTalker
thedriveHis fleet has Ferraris, BMWs
and India’s largest collection of Land Rov-
ers. His favourite is a red Lamborghini.
thedigitalstatementHe asked his
Facebook friends if he should join a po-
litical party. The most practical advice
came from Omar Abdullah.
45,Entrepreneur (50)
46
RAJEEV
CHANDRASEKHAR
63,SocialArbiter (40)
PARMESHWAR
GODREJ
45
HauteHostess
Because he has built access across
the political spectrum with a mix of busi-
ness, politics and media interests.
Because he sits pretty both in Parlia-
ment and atop Rs 2,500 crore in his ven-
ture fund.
Because he, along with Star TV, con-
trols the second largest television net-
work in the South.
Because he takes on the Government
over economic and security issues.
BANDEEPSINGH

ChampionoftheBoard
TheWriteStuff
Because he is one of the
few independent intellectuals in India,
rated 44 in a list of the 100 most influ-
ential intellectuals worldwide last year
by Foreign Policy magazine.
Because he makes academics look
cool, writing with as much ease on Ve-
rrier Elwin as on cricket.
Because he’s not afraid of taking an
unpopular stand—even if it is urging
Arundhati Roy to stick to writing for
backingtheNarmadaBachaoAndolan.
writingstyleDisciplined. Every day
from 9 a.m. to 1.30 p.m.
nextmoveA prequel to India
After Gandhi about the first half
of the 20th century.
MedicineMan
Because he has taken to heart
the provision of affordable health
care by creating large health cities
in seven cities.
Because he conceptualised the
world’s cheapest health insurance
programme, Yeshaswini Micro
Health Insurance, that covers three
million beneficiaries in Karnataka
alone, at Rs 5 a month each.
bigfightPractices a martial art
known as Budokan Karate.
bignumberHe has performed
more than 10,000 heart opera-
tions with one of the highest suc-
cess rates worldwide.
SUMEETINDERSINGH
TheSophisticate
Because he is much sought after
for his eclectic intellect and has the
ability to bring together at dinner,
whether at his Vasant Vihar home or
at Davos, billionaires, international
leaders, think-tank types and multi-
lateral agency chiefs.
Because this was the year he was
finally elected to the Rajya Sabha,
thanks to Nitish Kumar.
coolbuddiesGeorge Yeo to Nich-
olas Stern, L.N. Mittal to Mukesh Am-
bani, Sunil Mittal to Anand Mahindra.
petprojectPreparing a blueprint
for the revival of Nalanda University.
powermoveWinning his third world
chess championship in Germany.
littleknownfactHis passion for rock
music—from the Rolling Stones to U2.
Because he is world champion and one-man revolution all rolled into
one, and is India’s highest-paid sportsperson, with the appearance fees ru-
moured to be $250,000 depending on who wants him to play.
Becausehe is the face of the NIIT Mind Champions Academy that has taken
chess e-learning in schools from 1,605 clubs in 2003 to 6,551 clubs and 7.4
lakh members in 2008.
YASBANTNEGI
NARENDRABISHT
38,Chess Grandmaster (New)
47
68,MP (New)
N.K.
SINGH
49
5055 power
people
VISWANATHAN
ANAND
51,Historian (New)
50
56,Doctor (New)
DEVI
SHETTY
48
RAMACHANDRA
GUHA
GIREESHGV
hismusicListening to Kishori Am-
onkar on his Bang & Olufsen system.

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