CHENNAI: When 20-something Arun Prashanth B with a background in international business management decided to become an entrepreneur, little did he know that his turnover would be in crores. “When I decided to come back to India after graduating and working for two years in London…I had my goal set. I wanted to be an entrepreneur in the food industry, but my family was shocked by my decision. They feared I might fail…their fears were understandable. I am a first generation entrepreneur in the family,” recalls Arun, MD, Thambi Vilas, which is also one of the most talked about names in the food circle.
It was an uphill journey but the young entrepreneur quips, “For someone who didn’t have any idea about the workings of the restaurant business, what I am now…is pretty good!” Arun is not just all business. He likes fun too and believes in working hard and partying harder. He talks to us about his adventurous side, love, interactions with customers and more. Excerpts follow…
Why food industry?
I think I chose the food industry because of my mother. I am attached to her and used to spend my childhood with her in the kitchen, sitting and reading out Tamil magazines to her as she cooked. It was my favourite pastime. She even suggested that I become a chef, but I was clear that it could be my hobby but not my career.
Would you call yourself a foodie?
(Laughs) It’s actually interesting. I didn’t realise that I was one until my girlfriend (now wife) talked to me about it. She asked me if I had ever wondered why I was in the food industry and doing everything that revolved around food. I hadn’t! She said I could eat a lot and even say what’s wrong or right with a particular dish. My technical strength made me better at my job. That’s when I realised that it was meant to be (smiles). I like to try different cuisines, but being a ‘pakka’ south Indian, I love traditional food — especially idly with chicken/mutton curry and, biryani of course!
How did you meet your wife?
I met her in London in my university. To be honest, she was the first girl that I ever interacted in 24 years of my life. Don’t judge me! I was in a typical ‘boy group’ that wouldn’t talk to girls. But things changed in London! In fact, when we were just friends I uploaded a photo with her in my Facebook profile, and everyone in my family went berserk! I received calls asking about her…they had never seen me post a picture with a girl before (laughs). But, things clicked between us and I wanted to succeed in my entrepreneurial venture before proposing to her. It happened, and I have to thank her for making me achieve my dreams in my 20’s. Otherwise, I might have become an entrepreneur only at 40!
How do you spend time together?
We love adventure sports, and we recently went to Australia for our honeymoon and tried skydiving! I am scared of heights…but, she has tried bungee jumping four times already and is ready to do it a few more times. While on the other hand, I was praying that unprecedented situations would stop me from jumping, I ended up doing it and I think that’s my best adventure so far. (smiles). When it comes to spending time with each other, we don’t schedule it. We make sure that even five minutes spent with each other is quality time. I don’t attend calls or make calls when I am with her, and whatever that span of time is…it’s solely for her.
What’s your typical day like?
I don’t have a set day and it keeps changing. In fact, there was a time when I had a bad day at work. So, I just went down to Thambi Vilas and started having my meals. It was a packed day at the restaurant and a group of four people, accompanied by their 80-year-old driver walked in. Since the place was packed, the driver sat at my table, he was oblivious of who I was. When his meal arrived…I noticed that his ‘papad’ wasn’t crisp. I gestured to my waiters at it and they immediately brought two freshly made-piping hot papads for him. He was surprised and repeatedly asked if it was for him. I could see the happiness in his face. Throughout his meal, he devoured the two papads made especially for him, bit by bit. It was so satisfying to see the amount of happiness such a simple thing can give to people. I was speechless and I had forgotten all my work-related tension.
What are your other interests. What’s the one place you would like to travel to?
I love driving — both bikes and cars! I even completed the golden quadrilateral route in India — Chennai-Bengaluru-Goa-Mumbai-Delhi-Kolkata-Chennai, all alone in my car. I love to drive and hate being a
passenger!