Papa don't preach

These daughters have struck out on their own-some following in their father's footsteps and some doing different things. But all have given business ideas a new twist, and not one is content to stay in the family's shadow. All of them want to play an active role in the family business as they carve out a career for themselves, and each one of them has a clear vision about the future.

Anjani Kasliwal
22, General Manager-Luxury, Brandhouse Retails

The best advice my father gave: Keep smiling, so the world wonders what you are up to.
10-years from now: I want to be a successful entrepreneur, juggling two bratty girls. If I wasn't in my father's business: I would be on the ramp.

All of 22, this chirpy girl loves filmmaking and, in fact, did her Bachelors in Media Management from Bombay University. So, what is she doing heading the luxury brands business at Brandhouse Retails, the de-merged brandspecific group company of apparel maker S. Kumars Nationwide (SKNL). Brandhouse Retails is involved in setting up and managing exclusive brand outlets for various brands across India with a special focus on fashion and lifestyle. "I feel so strongly about what my dad does and I feel that I can take it on. I feel that I am capable of carrying his name in business forward," says Kasliwal. She currently manages two international luxury brands-Escada and Alfred Dunhill-as the General Manager-Luxury at Brandhouse Retails. It might be a while before she actually heads the business but she is happy shouldering responsibilities.

-Anusha Subramanian

 

2007 daughters The inheritors profiled last year. Lara Balsara 26, Business Development & Diversification Manager, Madison Ashni Biyani 22, Design Manager, Future Group Schauna Chauhan Saluja 31, CEO, Parle Agro Alisha Chauhan 29, Director, Parle Agro & V3 Nadia Chauhan Kurup 21, Director Marketing, Parle Agro Bhairavi Jani 28, Director, SCA Group of Companies Rangita Pritish Nandy 27, Creative Director, Pritish Nandy Communications Meghna Ghai Puri 29, Director, Mukta Arts

Pooja Jain
32, Executive Director, Luxor Group

The best advice my father gave: Be positive and never give up.
10-years from now: I want to be recognised as someone who has made a difference to the lives of some people.
If I wasn't in my father's business: I would be in creative arts-dance and theatre.

Managing the overall operations of the stationery and writing instruments division of Luxor Group, Pooja Jain, at 32, is paving a new growth path for the company. With a group turnover of about Rs 1,100 crore, Luxor today is a Super Brand and a leader in the industry. A graduate from Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi, she went on to study at London School of Economics and joined the business in 1996. Working her way through several junior functions before taking over the reins of Luxor Group as Executive Director in 2006, she set up a B2B division, which alone has a turnover of Rs 23 crore. Jain also promotes literacy, and bought the playschool in which she had studied to allow poor children a chance.

-Dhiman Chattopadhyay

Soundarya Rajinikanth
24, MD and Chief Executive, Ocher Studios

The best advice my father gave: Set your goal, gather information, bring together a great team and never give up until the goal is achieved.
10-years from now: I would like to be redefining 3D and entertainment technology worldwide.
If I wasn't in my father's business: I would be playing professional golf.

No treading the beaten path of celluloid children for Soundarya Rajinikanth, the 25-year-old younger daughter of Tamil superstar Rajinikanth. She borrowed from banks to set up Ocher Studios, a 3D animation, post-production and visual effects studio, in Chennai. As Managing Director and Chief Executive, she manages an 80-member team today. Her biggest achievement has been to direct her father in a full length 3D animated film Sultan the Warrior.

-Anusha Subramanian