Ravi Ghai’s name has long been synonymous with luxury hotels, premium dining, and beloved ice cream brands. But this week, the 82-year-old business magnate is making headlines for reasons beyond boardrooms and business expansions — his granddaughter, Saaniya Chandhok. Has just got engaged to Arjun Tendulkar, son of cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar.
The intimate engagement, held on August 13, 2025, brought together two of Mumbai’s most prominent families — one representing India’s cricketing royalty and the other, the pinnacle of hospitality and gourmet indulgence.
A Titan of Hotels and Ice Cream
As chairman of the Graviss Group, Ravi Ghai presides over a business empire that straddles the worlds of high-end hospitality and mass-market food. His crown jewel is the InterContinental Hotel on Marine Drive, a heritage property he transformed from the old Natraj Hotel into a five-star destination overlooking the Arabian Sea.
But his influence extends far beyond the luxury sector. In 1993, Ghai was instrumental in bringing Baskin-Robbins to India and the SAARC region. Introducing generations of Indians to global ice cream flavours. He also owns iconic brands such as Kwality and The Brooklyn Creamery. The latter aimed at health-conscious consumers seeking guilt-free indulgence.
Global Training, Local Mastery
A graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration, Ghai returned to Mumbai in 1967 to take over his family’s business. Under his leadership, Graviss Food Solutions Private Limited achieved revenues of ₹624 crore in FY23–24, marking a 20% growth year-on-year. The group’s net worth is estimated between ₹800–1,000 crore.
He has consistently blended international service standards with deep insights into Indian consumer behaviour, ensuring the brands under his care remain both relevant and aspirational.
Legacy and Reinvention
Ghai has nurtured his father’s legacy through Kwality Ice Cream. Expanded the famed Gaylord restaurant chain, and embraced innovation with The Brooklyn Creamery. His vision has always been two-fold — preserve heritage while introducing fresh, contemporary concepts to a new generation of customers.
A Family Dispute in the Public Eye
Not all recent headlines have been celebratory. Just weeks before the engagement news, Ghai was embroiled in a public dispute with his son, Gaurav Ghai. The veteran businessman accused his son of taking control of the Graviss Group during his cancer treatment, alleging forgery, fraud, and even the suspension of his monthly allowance. The matter is currently in arbitration after being treat as a family dispute by the police.
An Enduring Influence
Despite personal challenges, Ravi Ghai’s contribution to India’s hospitality and food sector is monumental. From luxury suites with sea views to tubs of ice cream in corner shops. His business ventures have touched multiple layers of Indian life.
Now, with his granddaughter’s engagement to Arjun Tendulkar. Ghai finds himself at the crossroads of cricket buzz, society gossip, and business news — a testament to how deeply intertwined his life is with India’s cultural fabric.
