Chandubhai Virani, born on January 31, 1957 (69 years old), in Dhundhoraji, a small village in Gujarat, is one of India’s most inspiring business minds.
He is best known as the man behind Balaji Wafers, a snack brand that millions of Indians enjoy every day.
From selling chips at a cinema canteen to building a ₹5,000 crore company, Chandubhai’s journey is nothing short of amazing. What makes him special is that he built this snack empire without any fancy degree or big investor backing.
Virani believed in quality, local taste, and never giving up, values that helped Balaji Wafers beat even global giants like Pepsi in parts of India.
Under his leadership, Balaji Wafers grew from a small home setup to one of India’s biggest snack makers, with factories that can process millions of kilos of potatoes every day.
Curious to know more?
Keep reading Chandubhai Virani’s Wiki and explore details about his wife, children, family, education, net worth, career journey, and more.
Chandubhai Virani Wiki & Early Life
| Full Name | Chandubhai Popatbhai Virani |
| Profession | Entrepreneur; Founder & Managing Director of Balaji Wafers |
| Age | 69 years old |
| Date of Birth | January 31, 1957 |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Zodiac/Sun Sign | Aquarius |
| Birthplace | Dhun-Dhoraji, a village in Kalavad Taluka, Jamnagar district, Gujarat |
| Current Address | Vajdi (Vad), Rajkot, Gujarat |
Chandubhai Virani Wife & Children
Chandubhai Virani is a married man, but the name of his wife and the date or place of their wedding are yet to be updated.
He prefers to keep his personal life away from the spotlight, focusing more on his work and business.
Virani is also a proud father of two children, one son, Pranay, and one daughter, Kinjal.
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Wife | Yet to be updated |
| Children | Daughter: Kinjal Son: Pranay |
Chandubhai Virani Family
Father
Chandubhai Virani’s father was Popatbhai Virani, a farmer from Dhundhoraji village in Gujarat.
He sold a piece of ancestral land to support his sons in starting a business. His belief in hard work and independence greatly influenced Chandubhai’s life.
Mother
The name of Chandubhai’s mother is yet to be updated. Not much public information is available about her background.
Siblings
Chandubhai has two brothers, Bhikhubhai Virani and Meghjibhai Virani. The three brothers worked together from the very beginning. Their early days involved doing odd jobs at a cinema canteen.
Later, their strong bond and teamwork helped them build Balaji Wafers into a household name.
| Parent’s Name | Father: Popatbhai Virani Mother: Yet to be updated |
| Siblings | Brothers: Bhikhubhai Virani, Meghjibhai Virani Sisters: Yet to be updated |
Chandubhai Virani Education
Chandubhai Virani’s formal education was limited, but his life experience taught him far more than any classroom could.
Schooling
He studied at a government school in Gujarat and completed his education up to the 10th standard. The exact name of the school is yet to be updated.
Higher Education
Chandubhai did not pursue college or university education. Instead, he entered the workforce at a young age to support his family.
| School | Government school up to the 10th standard |
| Highest Qualification | 10th-pass |
Chandubhai Virani Career
Chandubhai Virani’s career started not with success, but with hardship. After completing his 10th standard, he and his brothers received ₹20,000 from their father, who sold a piece of family land.
With this small amount, they started an agriculture-related business in Rajkot. But the venture failed within a short time. The brothers lost all their money and even their place to live.
With no other choice, Chandubhai and his brothers took up low-paying jobs at Astron Cinema in Rajkot. They worked as cleaners, ticket checkers, and helpers in the cinema canteen, earning just ₹90 per month.
The Turning Point: Potato Chips
While working at the cinema, Chandubhai noticed something important. Potato wafers were the most liked snack among the moviegoers.
This small observation gave birth to a big idea. In the early 1980s, he started making potato chips at home with his brothers.
Using just ₹10,000, they bought basic equipment and began producing wafers in their home compound.
They sold the chips to local stores and in the cinema canteen where they worked. Slowly, the taste and quality of their wafers began to win hearts.
Building Balaji Wafers
As demand grew, they needed a bigger setup. In 1989, Chandubhai and his brothers took a bank loan of ₹50 lakh and set up a small factory in the Aji GIDC industrial area in Rajkot.
In 1992, Balaji Wafers became a private limited company, and Chandubhai took on the role of Managing Director.
He focused on four key things:
- Quality control
- Regional flavors to match local tastes
- Affordable pricing
- Strong distribution network
Growth and Market Leadership
Balaji Wafers didn’t just grow; it dominated the market.
Under Chandubhai’s leadership:
- The company built automated plants that could process 6.5 million kg of potatoes and 10 million kg of namkeen every day.
- It expanded to Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and more states.
- It built a distribution network of 1,000+ distributors and millions of retail outlets.
By 2017, Balaji Wafers had a turnover of ₹1,800 crore. Just a few years later, in FY 2023, it crossed ₹5,000 crore in revenue.
Standing Strong Against Global Giants
Many international companies, including PepsiCo and General Mills, tried to buy Balaji Wafers.
But Chandubhai said no every time. He believed that Balaji should remain 100% Indian, serving Indian consumers in its own way.
Current Role
Today, Chandubhai Virani is still the Managing Director of Balaji Wafers Pvt. Ltd.
He oversees the company’s operations, strategy, product development, and future expansion plans. His leadership continues to guide the brand, which is now a household name in India.
| Year | Role | Organization |
| Early 1980s | Started making chips at home | Self-employed |
| 1989 | Set up the first wafer factory | Balaji Wafers (Rajkot) |
| 1992 | Became Managing Director | Balaji Wafers Pvt. Ltd. |
| 2017 | Reached ₹1,800 crore turnover | Balaji Wafers Pvt. Ltd. |
| 2023 | Crossed ₹5,000 crore in revenue | Balaji Wafers Pvt. Ltd. |
Awards and Achievements
Here’s a quick look at the known awards and recognitions received by Chandubhai Virani during his inspiring business journey:
| Year | Award / Recognition | Reason |
| 2016 | EY Entrepreneur of the Year (Consumer Products & Retail) | Honor for outstanding entrepreneurship in the snacks sector |
| Yet to be updated | Recognition as “Sultan of Wafers” by the Economic Times | For building Balaji Wafers’ market dominance |
Chandubhai Virani Net Worth, Salary
Chandvhai Virani’s net worth is around $1.1billion. But his annual income is still to be updated.
| Net Worth in Dollars (Approx.) | $1.1billion |
| Salary (Approx.) | Yet to be updated |
Chandubhai Virani Height, Weight & Physical Stats
Chandubhai Virani is a modest and soft-spoken personality with a simple appearance that reflects his humble roots. He has black hair and black eyes.
However, details about his height, weight, and body measurements are yet to be updated.
| Height | In centimetres: Yet to be updated In meters: Yet to be updated In feet & inches: Yet to be updated |
| Weight | In kg: Yet to be updated In lbs: Yet to be updated |
| Body Measurements | Yet to be updated |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Black |
Interesting Facts About Chandubhai Virani
- Chandubhai Virani started his career earning just ₹90 per month as a cinema helper.
- Chandubhai never went to college and studied only till the 10th standard.
- His first potato chips were made using basic equipment at home.
- Virani turned down buyout offers from global giants like PepsiCo and General Mills.
- He runs one of the largest snack production facilities in Asia.
- Half of the workforce in Balaji Wafers’ factories consists of women.
- Balaji Wafers holds over 90% market share in Gujarat’s snack segment.
FAQs
Who is Chandubhai Virani?
Chandubhai Virani is the founder and Managing Director of Balaji Wafers, a leading Indian snack brand.
What is Chandubhai Virani’s educational background?
Chandubhai Virani studied up to the 10th standard at a government school in Gujarat.
Does Chandubhai Virani still work at Balaji Wafers?
Yes, Chandubhai Virani currently serves as the Managing Director of the company.
What challenges did he face early in life?
Chandubhai Virani faced financial failure in his first business and worked odd jobs before starting Balaji Wafers.
