Arjun Tendulkar weds Saaniya Chandhok: Who is Ravi Ghai? India's ice cream baron and Arjun’s grandfather-in-law

When Arjun Tendulkar and Saaniya Chandhok exchanged vows on March 5th, the world naturally wanted a peek inside the celebration. It was a private, elegant affair, but as the photos started to circulate, curiosity shifted toward Saaniya’s family.


If you’ve lived in India, chances are you’ve already encountered her family’s legacy without even realizing it. It all traces back to her grandfather, Ravi Ghai - the man often called India’s "Ice Cream Baron." He’s the force behind the brands that have defined Indian childhoods for decades.

From Cornell to the Streets of Mumbai

Ravi Ghai didn’t just stumble into the hospitality world; he studied it at the prestigious Cornell University. When he returned to Mumbai in 1967, he joined a family business that was already a household name: Kwality Ice Cream.


But Ravi had a vision that went beyond the local favorites. In 1993, he made a move that changed the Indian dessert scene forever by bringing Baskin-Robbins to India and the SAARC region. For a generation of Indians, that pink spoon was their first real taste of international flavors, and it was Ravi Ghai who paved the way for that global shift.

More Than Just Desserts: The Graviss Group

Today, Ravi heads the Graviss Group, a powerhouse that stretches far beyond the freezer aisle. If you’ve ever admired the sleek InterContinental on Mumbai’s iconic Marine Drive, you’re looking at another piece of his portfolio. His career has been a masterclass in staying relevant, moving seamlessly between high-end hospitality and everyday food brands.

The Family Connection

So, how does this all tie back to the recent wedding? Ravi Ghai is Saaniya Chandhok’s grandfather. Saaniya - the daughter of Sunny Chandhok and Gaurika Ghai Chandhok - grew up in the heart of Mumbai before heading to London for her studies.


While the Ghai family is a titan in the business world, they’ve managed to keep their private lives relatively quiet. Ravi’s wife, Gita Ghai, has been by his side since they married in July 1967, and while she’s deeply involved in the family’s business interests, she’s famously stayed out of the limelight, letting the brands speak for themselves.

A Legacy That Spans Generations

It’s fascinating to see how these worlds collide. From the cricket pitch of the Tendulkars to the hospitality empire of the Ghais, this wedding wasn't just a union of two people; it was the coming together of two massive Indian legacies.


Ravi Ghai’s journey, from the early days of Kwality to the global heights of Baskin-Robbins - isn't just a business success story. It’s a part of India’s modern history, drawn out over decades of hospitality, hard work, and, of course, a lot of ice cream.