“Food has always been one of the three pillars of life – food, shelter and clothing, right?
If the pandemic taught us anything, it was that we could survive stripped of luxuries, but never without these essentials.
Somewhere along the way, I realized food wasn’t just about survival; it was about joy. A well-cooked meal has the power to turn a gloomy day into a good one. That was the spark that lit my path.
I come from a family deeply rooted in business.
My father built his venture, Aadhira Housing, from scratch, and naturally, after graduation, I stepped into the same industry. But something didn’t feel right. Real estate never lit up my soul. I wanted to create something I could call my own. Something that fed not just bodies but also hearts.
When I revealed my plans of starting a food business, my family wasn’t thrilled.
“Why take such risks when we already have a stable business?” they asked.
Playing safe, yes. But just being safe wasn’t enough.
That’s when my cousin, Poornima, became my anchor. She said, “I’ll back you. Let’s build this together.” Every dreamer needs that one person who believes in their madness. Poornima was mine.
We’re partners till date and co-founded our little passion project.
Together, we launched Dosart, a humble yet daring venture. We dared to bring to Chennai what no one else had – the magic of 111 varieties of dosas.
The 111 variety of dosa years ago was something no one came up with, I now feel proud of what we brought to the city – new & creative.
From chocolate dosas and Lay’s dosas to paneer tikka dosas and samosa dosas, our menu became the talk of the town. Crowds poured in, intrigued, delighted, and loyal. Because at the end of the day, who doesn’t love a good dosa?
The success of Dosart was overwhelming, but the fire in us only grew brighter. Our franchise model made it easy for investors to trust us. Soon, Dosart spread across Chennai and beyond – to Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Jodhpur, and even Pune. Each outlet became a testament to what passion and persistence could build.
But we weren’t done yet!
While Dosart grew, we knew our people deserved more.
A taste of nostalgia, a bite of tradition, and flavors that carried stories.
That’s how Upavihar was born, our homage to classic Udupi cuisine. Imagine hot, fluffy Mangalorean buns, flaky chirotis, and Mysore masala dosas with a touch of sweetness in the sambar – new to Chennai yet deeply comforting.
We didn’t just serve food; we created experiences. Innovation became our identity. Our “Bhutta Cigars” – a corn and paneer stuffed, rolled crisp with a French fry core, served in a shot glass with house-made mayo and a sprinkle of Sev weren’t just snacks, they were conversations on a plate. Customers didn’t just eat; they celebrated.
From three bustling branches of Upavihar in Chennai to an ever-expanding family of franchises, our journey grew bigger than we ever imagined. Today, what began as a tiny spark now sustains over 200 staff, 50 vendors, and nearly 300 families. For us, they’re not just employees; they are an extended family. We’ve supported their children’s education, celebrated their weddings, and even funded higher studies.
Growth, I realized, isn’t just about numbers; it’s about lifting people who are with you.
But let’s be honest, business is no fairy tale – if you’re an entrepreneur, you’ll agree to this.
There were sleepless nights, financial risks, and failures along the way. Yet every fall only sharpened our resolve. Consistency, research, and above all, communication – meeting strangers, building networks, opening doors we never knew existed – became our greatest strength.
From self-funding to attracting investors, our story became proof that brand value can open unimaginable doors. Today, we are gearing up to go international, even as three more Upavihar branches are lined up in Chennai alone.
Still, nothing compares to the joy of a customer walking up after a meal and saying, “This was unforgettable.” That moment makes every struggle worthwhile.
So here’s my message: if you’re waiting for a sign to build something from scratch – this is it. Nothing compares to the happiness of standing tall in something you built, brick by brick, dream by dream!”