Meet woman who runs Rs 70000000000 business empire, competes with Mukesh Ambani's Campa Cola, Ratan Tata's company, Pepsi, Coca-Cola; she is..

India.com

20-06-2025

For many years, boardrooms all over the world have been populated by men in dark suits, while women have been kept on the fringe. That has changed. In today's world, women working in business are not just taking their seats but are leading.
Have you heard of someone who refused a Rs 7,000 crore offer from Tata, held their ground with Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Ambani, and Tata, and is now one of India's most powerful businesspeople? Well, she is Jayanti Chauhan, a woman who was fashion trained and at the forefront of Bisleri, that she defied the sales potential and built it into a juggernaut that competes with the heavyweights of bottled and fizzy drinks.
Jayanti Chauhan is an Indian entrepreneur and the sole heiress to Bisleri's Rs 7,000 crore empire. She is the only daughter of Ramesh Chauhan, founder of Bisleri International, the best-known name in packaged drinking water in India.
For over five decades, Bisleri has been a leading company in India's bottled water segment, capturing a market share of 32%. With 122 manufacturing facilities and over 4,500 partners to distribute its products across the country, the brand has built a strong position not only in India but also internationally, operating in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
During the financial year 2022–23, Bisleri International generated revenues of over Rs 2,300 crore, with its brand valuation estimated at above Rs 7,000 crore. However, even amidst such success, the sale of the company almost occurred—this turning point led Jayanti Chauhan to step in and take over the name for which her father had worked tirelessly to build.
Stepping into the leadership of Bisleri was a daunting task for Jayanti Chauhan as her father, Ramesh Chauhan, was preparing to sell the iconic brand to the Tata Group for approximately Rs 7,000 crore, partly due to his advancing age and partly due to having no legitimate successor. At first, Jayanti, his only child was reluctant to take over leadership. But after his father was considering another option for 'Bisleri' future, she had a change of heart. Her decision to take over disintegrated the Tata deal and ushered in a new era of Bisleri under her leadership.
Although Jayanti Chauhan was initially hesitant about taking on leadership responsibilities at Bisleri, she accepted her new role and started her journey at age 24 under the guidance of her father, Ramesh Chauhan. Her first task was a daunting one: to turn around factories that were failing to meet capacity around the country, while also implementing process automation to modernize the operation. With her hands-on experience, she gained real insight into Bisleri's multiple business models, strategic processes, and growth objectives – skills required for any future endeavors.
She gained an understanding of the diverse business models, plans, and targets crucial for propelling the organization forward. This invaluable experience paved the way for Jayanti to take the helm of the emerging brand Vedica Himalayan Spring Water. Bisleri, under her stewardship, has made great strides in bringing New Product Development to life, especially within the expanding Carbonated Soft Drink (CSD) category – the company is now poised to enter their next growth stage.
Campa Cola, a fairly popular name in India, in the 1980s and 1990s, roaring back to life in 2022 by Reliance Consumer Products Ltd. Under the leadership of Mukesh Ambani, the brand's relaunch has stirred excitement and nostalgia across the country. But it's not just reliving past nostalgia but also redefining the Indian fizzy drinks category. With smart pricing, range of flavors and pack sizes, Campa Cola has quickly garnered share for a homegrown alternative to the strong global players PepsiCo and Coca-Cola, which had established the stronghold & loyalty of Indian consumers for decades with their distribution systems. With that reach, scale and strategic muscle of Reliance, Campa Cola is no longer a nostalgia – but a contender to reckon with. And for Bisleri – just entering the carbonated drinks category – it's an arena only just getting warmed up for an iconic challenger
'Her tenure at Bisleri has been marked by a deep understanding of the various facets of the company's operations, starting with hands-on experience on the shop floor. Over the years, she has consistently demonstrated her commitment to the business by playing pivotal roles in building brands, new product development, allowing her to gain knowledge of the intricate nuances that drive the business, reads the statement.