Nikhil Kamath, in conversation with the founders of leading business sectors on the podcast, as they discussed business change after COVID

Well reckoned to be the ‘Wonder Boy of New India’, Nikhil Kamath has been distinctively bringing the most crucial subjects into a discussion with his podcast, 'WTF is? From being a school dropout to being called India’s Warren Buffett in the making, Nikhil Kamath ’s self-made journey is nothing short of inspiring. Leading the way as the brightest investor in India, Nikhil, in collaboration with leading climate pioneers such as OYO founder Ritesh Agarwal, Mamaearth founder Ghaal Alagh, and Manish Poddar, all talked about the impact of COVID on the business and industry sectors.

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Explaining the impact of COVID on the OYO sector, founder Ritesh Agarwal said, "During the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, OYO faced significant challenges as it grappled with consolidating its operations. Despite experiencing a drastic overnight reduction of approximately 65% in its business, OYO managed to sustain itself partly through utilizing its margins and partly through external funding. Amidst the pandemic, virtually all industries witnessed an unprecedented surge in demand. Despite the immense difficulties faced during this period, OYO underwent a remarkable transformation, leveraging the adversity of the pandemic to evolve and strengthen its operations."

Adding to it, Manish Poddar said, "With a penchant for risk-taking, I embarked on expanding my small factory into a larger one, envisioning in-house garment dyeing as a crucial addition. I firmly believe that success in business requires basic arithmetic skills; if one cannot grasp that 2 2 equals 4, profitability remains elusive. After enduring a two-year period of economic downturn, I conceived the notion of establishing a brand. Recognizing the immense potential of the styling industry in India, we embarked on curating fashion that resonates with the Indian populace. Drawing inspiration from the distinctive styling preferences of individuals like Pankaj Tripathi and Amitabh Bachchan, we decided to distinguish our brand by abstaining from placing logos on the chest, inspired by the practices of Italian and Spanish brands.

In India, the concept of smart wear is relatively nascent, and our approach has been to infuse elements of Western influence with Indian cultural nuances. A successful brand, in our view, should encapsulate storytelling, effective design communication, a holistic ethos, and a commitment to uniqueness. We've observed a burgeoning demand for oversized t-shirts in the Indian market, where clothing manufacturing predominates over fashion creation.

Navigating the real estate landscape presented significant challenges for Rare Rabbit, and our choice of fabric, Khadi, is emblematic of our commitment to softness and organic quality. For aspiring entrepreneurs, I recommend exploring opportunities in Khadi, a fabric deeply rooted in Indian heritage. While denim may originate from France and dyeing techniques from America, we pride ourselves on being a brand that refrains from traditional marketing tactics like road shows. India stands out as a voracious market, constantly seeking innovation and novelty rather than repetition."

Nikhil Kamath became a part of the Forbes Billionaires List 2020–2023 and the Self-Made Rich List 2022. Nikhil continues to be the path-breaking investor he is with his dedication to investing in philanthropy on a large scale. He recently became not only the 4th but also the youngest Indian to pledge a majority of his wealth through the Bill Gates and Melinda Gates charity foundation.

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