Early Life and Humble Beginnings
Raj Kundra was born into a modest, middle-class Punjabi Hindu immigrant family in London. His father, Bal Krishan Kundra, worked as a bus conductor before starting a small business, and his mother, Usha Rani Kundra, worked in a factory and later as a shop assistant. Raj’s upbringing was simple, with limited means, but he was driven by ambition from an early age.
He dropped out of college at 18 and traveled to Dubai and Nepal to seek opportunities. It was in Nepal where he discovered Pashmina shawls, which he started exporting to high-end British fashion retailers. This venture earned him his first million and laid the foundation for his future as a serial entrepreneur.
Business Empire and Ventures
Over the years, Raj Kundra built a diversified business empire that spans multiple industries:
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Essential General Trading LLC (Dubai) – Founded in 2007, involved in trading precious metals, mining, construction, and renewable energy projects.
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Viaan Industries – A company named after his son, focusing on gaming, entertainment, and technology platforms.
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Essential Sports and Media – Specialized in entertainment production and distribution.
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Rajasthan Royals (IPL) – Co-owned the franchise with Shilpa Shetty until 2015.
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Super Fight League – India’s first Mixed Martial Arts league, launched in 2012 with actor Sanjay Dutt.
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Real Estate – Owns luxury properties in Mumbai, London, and Dubai’s Burj Khalifa.
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Restaurants – Holds a 50% stake in Mumbai’s high-end restaurant, Bastian.
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He was ranked the 198th richest British Asian by Success magazine in 2004.
Personal Life
Raj Kundra married Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty on November 22, 2009. The couple has two children Viaan, born in 2012, and Samisha, born via surrogacy in 2020. Before Shilpa, Raj was married to Kavita Kundra, with whom he shares a daughter, Deleena. Their divorce in 2006 was publicly contentious, with Kavita later blaming Shilpa for the separation.
Key Information
| Full Name | Ripu Sudan Kundra |
| Date of Birth | September 9, 1975 |
| Place of Birth | London, England |
| Nationality | British-Indian |
| Parents | Bal Krishan Kundra (father), Usha Rani Kundra (mother) |
| Education | Dropped out of college at age 18 |
| Profession | Businessman, Entrepreneur, Author |
| Known For | Investments in IPL (Rajasthan Royals), Bollywood, Online Gaming, MMA |
| Spouse | Shilpa Shetty (Married on November 22, 2009) |
| Children | Viaan Raj Kundra (May 21, 2012), Samisha Shetty Kundra (Feb 15, 2020) |
| Previous Marriage | Kavita Kundra (divorced 2006) and daughter Deleena |
| Net Worth | ₹2,800 crore (approx. $400 million) |
| Key Businesses | Essential General Trading LLC, Viaan Industries, Rajasthan Royals (IPL) |
| Major Ventures | Pashmina shawl exports, Super Fight League, Real Estate, Mining |
| Properties | Homes in Mumbai, London (“Raj Mahal” mansion), and Burj Khalifa, Dubai |
| Published Work | How Not to Make Money (2013) |
| Philanthropy | Shilpa Shetty Foundation for underprivileged children |
Lesser-Known Facts
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Author: Wrote a business thriller, How Not to Make Money, in 2013.
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Birthday Twin: Shares his birthday (Sept 9) with actor Akshay Kumar, Shilpa’s ex-boyfriend.
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Philanthropy: Actively supports the Shilpa Shetty Foundation, helping underprivileged children.
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Diamond Enthusiast: Took a professional course in diamonds early in his career.
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“Raj Mahal” Mansion: Owns a lavish £3.4 million mansion in St. George’s Hill, UK.
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Media Mystery: On The Kapil Sharma Show, even the host joked about not knowing what Raj actually does for a living.
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Masked Persona: During and after his legal troubles, he appeared in public with a full face mask earning him the nickname “The Mask Man”. He removed it for the first time at the launch of his biopic film UT 69 in 2023.
Public Image and Legacy
Despite his tumultuous legal history, Raj Kundra remains a prominent figure in both business and Bollywood circles. His story is one of ambition, risk-taking, wealth, controversy, and reinvention. Whether admired for his entrepreneurial flair or criticized for the scandals he’s endured, Raj Kundra continues to be a compelling character in India’s celebrity-business ecosystem.
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