"Cooking is my Passion": Shankar Mahadevan Fulfills Childhood Dream with Malgudi Restaurant
Singer Shankar Mahadevan fulfills a childhood dream by co-founding Malgudi, a South Indian resto-cafe now expanding in Delhi.
Renowned singer and composer Shankar Mahadevan is known globally for his musical genius, but he has long harbored a secret passion that exists far away from the recording studio: the culinary arts. The award-winning artist has finally turned this lifelong ambition into reality with the launch of Malgudi, a South Indian resto-cafe that is now making its mark in the national capital.
From Private Kitchen to Public Domain
For years, Mahadevan's love for cooking was a private affair, reserved for the delight of his friends and family. However, the dream of owning a restaurant had been with him since childhood. The transition from a hobby to a business venture happened when he crossed paths with K.S. Ramakrishnan, a seasoned serial entrepreneur and the founder of DigiPhoto Entertainment Imaging (DEI) and Eatopia Holdings.
Recalling their meeting about a decade ago, Mahadevan shared that he explicitly mentioned his desire to open a restaurant. "Whenever a restaurant comes to your mind, a South Indian restaurant, I would like to be a part of it," he told ANI. While Mahadevan was thinking of a single outlet, Ramakrishnan had a far more ambitious vision, suggesting they aim for 100 restaurants together. Mahadevan describes this serendipitous meeting as "God's work," where the right person, place, and intention aligned perfectly.
Bringing Authentic South Indian Flavors to Delhi
The brand has recently expanded its footprint to New Delhi, with a new outlet officially opening on September 18 in Rajouri Garden on Ring Road. This location marks the 10th outlet for the Malgudi brand, which already has a presence in Mumbai and the United Arab Emirates.
When it came to launching in the "food capital of the country," Mahadevan was firm about maintaining the integrity of the menu. Rather than tweaking the flavors to suit local Delhi preferences, he insisted on bringing the authentic South Indian experience to the city. "We have to bring our South Indian cuisine to Delhi... we are not going to mess with it. We are adding South Indian food to it," he explained.
The strategy seems to be paying off, as Mahadevan revealed that the Rajouri Garden outlet is currently performing better than any other branch in the country.
Nostalgia Meets Modernity
The name 'Malgudi' is a nod to the fictional town created by the legendary author R.K. Narayan, evoking a sense of nostalgia and simplicity. Co-founder K.S. Ramakrishnan explained that while the brand started as a quick-service restaurant (QSR) model in Mumbai with 10-14 outlets, the new venture seeks to blend tradition with contemporary aesthetics.
According to Ramakrishnan, the goal was to keep the "actual, real" origin of South Indian food untouched while enhancing the dining environment. He described the concept as an "authentic expression" of the brand, where the food triggers nostalgia but the interior provides a modern, sophisticated setting.
A Star-Studded Celebration
The journey of the Delhi outlet was celebrated with a grand success party on October 13. The event saw the presence of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari as the special guest. Adding a musical touch to the evening, Shankar Mahadevan performed his hits 'Woh Ladki Hai Kahan' and 'Jai Ganesha' for the staff and guests.
The celebration also featured a soulful live performance by singer Harshdeep Kaur, who captivated the audience with renditions of 'Ek Onkar' and 'Dilbaro'.