Latest news with #Binod
The Hindu
04-08-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
How Wai Wai noodles went from Nepal's kitchens to global shelves
As Wai Wai launched its new range of instant cup noodles last month, founder Binod Chaudhary took a moment to reflect on how it all began. The Nepal-based brand first hit the shelves in 1984, entering the market quietly, but it did not stay quiet for long. In no time, Wai Wai shook up the instant noodle scene. The brand made its Indian debut in the Northeast, gradually winding its way across the country. So, what prompted Binod to take that first bold leap? He recalls a moment of serendipity: 'That was 35 years ago. Travellers returning from Thailand with bags of instant noodles sparked my curiosity as a bystander,' he says. 'The businessman in me spotted a gap. Even though Maggi ruled the market, I believed Nepal deserved its own brand.' His decision was not met with universal support. 'Many advised me not to bother,' he admits. 'But facing those doubts only pushed me harder. I wanted to create something that would become a staple snack, and I'm proud we did.' Wai Wai now positions itself as the third-largest instant noodle brand in India. It reported revenues of ₹800 crore and is aiming for ₹1,200 crore by 2026. What began as a single product has grown into a portfolio of 200 to 250 SKUs, with a footprint in over 30 countries. Part of what made Wai Wai stand out from the very beginning was its packaging, and how people could eat it. Each pack came with a tastemaker, flavoured oil, and a spiced powder, offering more than just convenience. It offered choice. 'It was the versatility that set Wai Wai apart,' says Binod. 'From day one, you could eat it straight from the packet as chur-mur (a type of snack where the ingredients are crushed and peppered with potatoes and spices), boil it into a hot noodle soup, or mix it into snacks like Wai Wai bhel or alu mimi, a comforting, runny potato curry with crushed noodles that's popular in Darjeeling.' The inspiration came from Thailand, where he had observed people eating noodles in all kinds of creative ways. 'We took that idea and adapted it for Nepal. Especially the chur-mur style, in flavours like Schezwan and tomato — it really clicked with the younger crowd. Over time, it became a snack loved across generations.' Wai Wai's journey began in a modest factory in Saibu, Bhainsepati, in Nepal's Lalitpur district. By 2006, the brand had made its first international leap, setting up a factory in Rangpo, Sikkim. Today, Wai Wai has product lines like Wai Wai Xpress and Wai Wai Quick, catering to a global audience. But the idea was not just about noodles, it was about bold diversification. Binod Chaudhary, then running his family's textile business, Arun Emporium, saw an opportunity in food. 'I believed Nepalese consumers would welcome a different taste and more flexibility,' Binod says. 'We introduced flavours like spicy chicken and veg masala, now pantry staples across Nepal and India. Our initial success at home gave us the confidence to grow into India, where we tailored products for local preferences with flavours like jain masala and tomato chatpata.' To get the flavours just right, the early team travelled to Thailand, studying how noodles were made and consumed. 'We kept the name 'Wai Wai' from the Thai brand — it was catchy and worked well in our markets,' Binod adds. 'Flavours like classic masala and chicken were refined through trials and feedback. Our first taste-testers were our own families and young people in Kathmandu. That local connection mattered.'
India Today
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Panchayat's Ashok Pathak on being typecast: Nobody really wants to put in effort
Panchayat actor Ashok Pathak, known for his portrayal of Binod, recently opened up about the challenges of being typecast. Despite delivering a standout performance in the show's fourth season, he revealed that the industry often limits actors to similar roles, unwilling to take creative an interview with the actor shared how he's been actively turning down repetitive offers and is now hopeful for a shift in perception after the success of the fourth problem I'm facing after Panchayat is that I keep getting offered similar roles. It feels like nobody really wants to put in the effort. Even the makers don't think that if someone has portrayed a character well, they can be experimented with in other roles too. For instance, my role in 'Tribhuvan Mishra CA Topper' wasn't related to comedy at all. The makers changed their initial idea and offered me a completely different character.' Adding, he said, 'I used to feel bad because I kept getting Binod-like roles, and I turned them all down. Now, after Season 4, I hope people notice the intensity in my performance, because earlier, they only focused on the humour and comic sketch of my character. I'm flooded with messages from fans and well-wishers who've praised my performance. I want to take on different kinds of roles. Things are changing. There are now people who believe I can do more, and they've started placing their faith in me."What could be the reason behind this?When asked the actor what could possibly be the reason behind actors being stereotyped, Pathak stated that he is determined to break free from the stereotypes that have followed him since. He also spoke about the industry's tendency to typecast actors and how very few filmmakers are willing to challenge the status quo.'The problem is that nobody really wants to put in the hard work. Take Paresh Rawal, for instance, he was known for villainous roles for a long time until he got the chance to play Baburao Ganpatrao Apte in 'Hera Pheri'. That role changed the entire mindset of audiences, and now no one can imagine anyone else playing Baburao. Similarly, Amrish Puri sir was also known for similar roles until his powerful performances in 'Ghayal' and 'Ghatak' came along.'Adding, he said, 'I feel people often don't want to break these stereotypes. But there are some makers who love challenges and dare to cast actors in roles very different from what they've done before. Another great example is Pankaj Pahwa—just look at his stellar acting in films like 'Mulk' and 'Article 15'.'Meanwhile, Prime Video and The Viral Fever (TVF) have officially announced that 'Panchayat' will return for a fifth season, set to premiere in 2026. The decision follows the remarkable success of Season 4, which delivered the biggest opening in the series' history. Launched on June 24, the latest instalment has managed to receive rave reviews from fans and critics alike.'Panchayat Season 4', which premiered on June 24, featured Jitendra Kumar, Neena Gupta, Raghubir Yadav, Faisal Malik, and others in pivotal roles.- EndsMust Watch
India Today
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Panchayat's Binod recalls rejection over looks: Went to parlour, got facial
Actor Ashok Pathak, popularly known for playing Binod in the TVF series 'Panchayat', recently opened up about being rejected for roles due to his looks. In an exclusive conversation with during his recent visit to Delhi, the actor recalled how such rejections were once a common part of his an industry that is dominated by good looks, Pathak opened up about a tough phase early in his career when he was judged not for his talent but for his appearance. Recalling an incident from over a decade ago, he shared how the pressure to 'look charming' nearly cost him a role he had already auditioned for, until his performance proved too strong to would not like to name the film, but it was a big-budget one. My audition was done, and my role was a major one in that project. Everything was going smoothly, but I wasn't getting the final call. I had met the director and producer, but no one had called me for nearly a week. I thought maybe there was some requirement in terms of looks for that role, possibly something to do with the poster,' he told us. View this post on Instagram A post shared by prime video IN (@primevideoin) 'After a week, I got a call where they said, 'Why don't you go to a beauty parlour and get a facial done?' I was told there should be some shine and charm on my face. Deep down, I knew nothing would change, yet I went to the parlour and got a facial done. Then I turned to home remedies like applying haldi at night before sleeping, just to look good.""I used to tell people that I was focusing on my face and looks, but I didn't really put in much effort, just went to the parlour that one day. That was a tough time for me because I could see others giving auditions in front of me and getting selected,' recalled the actor," he said. However, it was not long before things changed for the actor. 'Finally, I got to play the part I had auditioned for, because they couldn't find anyone who could deliver what the makers were expecting. And then, they took me as I was. I feel that if your work is clean and up to the mark, they can compromise with looks because they don't compromise with talent. If you look at Nawazuddin Siddiqui, he used to look very different initially, and now he's on magazine covers too,' the actor added. View this post on Instagram A post shared by TVF | The Viral Fever (@theviralfever)Meanwhile, Prime Video and The Viral Fever (TVF) have officially announced that 'Panchayat' will return for a fifth season, set to premiere in 2026. The decision follows the remarkable success of Season 4, which delivered the biggest opening in the series' history. Launched on June 24, the latest instalment has captivated audiences both domestically and internationally, reinforcing the show's standing as a cultural phenomenon.'Panchayat Season 4', which premiered on June 24, featured Jitendra Kumar, Neena Gupta, Raghubir Yadav, Faisal Malik, and others in pivotal roles.- EndsTrending Reel
India.com
08-07-2025
- Business
- India.com
Meet Nepal's only billionaire, owns 136 companies, net worth is Rs 154384785180; no match for Mukesh Ambani, Adani, his business is...
Binod Chaudhary (File) India, the pre-eminent economic and military power in the subcontinent, is known as the hub of billionaires whose numbers keep rising each year. However, India's neighbors are smaller and economically weaker, and consequently have fewer billionaires and high net-worth individuals, with Nepal having a solo billionaire, Binod Chaudhary. Let us find out more about Binod Chaudhary, the only Nepali billionaire in the world. Who is Binod Chaudhary? Born in a Marwari business family in Kathmandu, Binod Chaudhary is a businessman-turned-politician and the only Nepali-origin billionaire in the world. Binod's family has deep roots in India; his grandfather migrated from Rajasthan to Nepal, and later Binod's father established the country's first departmental store. Growing up Binod Chaudhary wanted to pursue higher studies but ultimately joined the family business after his father was diagnosed with a fatal heart ailment. Chaudhary gave up his chartered accountancy course in India and took over the family business, and later expanded it to phenomenal levels under his leadership. What is Binod Chaudhary's business? Binod Chaudhary runs the Chaudhary Group, also known as CG Corp Global, a multinational conglomerate that owns 136 businesses across multiple sectors including banking, consumer apparel, education, hotels, electronics, energy and medicine. Some of the well-known brands and firms owned by the Chaudhary Group include the popular 'Wai Wai' noodles, and Nepal's Nabil Bank. The conglomerate also owns and operates 143 hotels and resorts, including several 5-star hotels in collaboration with India's Taj Hotels chain. In 1973, Binod Chaudhary opened Nepal's iconic disco, and in 1984 introduced the Wai Wai noodles brand in the country. The business tycoon also partnered with top brands like Suzuki and Panasonic, and 1995, acquired a controlling stake in Nabil Bank from the Dubai government. How much is Binod Chaudhary's net worth? Binod Chaudhary, the sole billionaire from Nepal, has a net worth of $2 billion, as of July 8, 2025, according to Forbes Real Time Billionaires List.
New Indian Express
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Panchayat renewed for season 5
While season 4 of Panchayat released just two weeks ago, the makers have already announced season 5 of the acclaimed Prime Video series. The streaming giant took to social media on Monday to share a new poster of the series in which Ashok Pathak's Binod, whose performance was lauded in the recent season, can be seen being lifted by other members of the cast. Although the exact date of release is not given, the new season will be coming next year. 'Hi 5. Phulera wapas aane ki taiyyaari shuru kar lijiye Panchayat On Prime, New Season, Coming Soon,' the makers have captioned the post.
