The ice cream parlour near Amitabh Bachchan, Hrithik Roshan's house today is a Rs 300 crore business. Why first outlet was opened there

Economic Times

25-04-2025

In Mumbai's Juhu, Raghunandan Srinivas Kamath founded Naturals Ice Cream in 1984, captivating hearts with handcrafted, fruit-filled flavors. Starting from a humble 200 sq. ft. shop, Kamath's vision of pure, fruit-based ice creams quickly set Naturals apart. The brand grew into a Rs 300+ crore enterprise with over 165 outlets, earning international recognition.
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First outlet in Juhu
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In the vibrant suburb of Juhu, Mumbai, where stars like Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini, Akshay Kumar, Hrithik Roshan and Shatrughan Sinha stay, , a quieter legend was being born. It was here that Raghunandan Srinivas Kamath set up the very first Naturals Ice Cream parlour in 1984. While Bollywood stars drew crowds with their glamour, Kamath captivated hearts with something even sweeter—his handcrafted, fruit-filled ice creams.These three celebrities, symbolic of timeless appeal, unknowingly shared their neighborhood with a man who would go on to become an iconic name in India's dessert culture.Kamath strategically chose Juhu for his first outlet, knowing that the neighborhood's star power—thanks to residents like Amitabh Bachchan, Shatrughan Sinha, and Hema Malini—would naturally attract more foot traffic and curious customers, he once told a newspaper.'Celebrities including Amitabh Bachchan, Shatrughan Sinha and Hema Malini stayed in the area. I thought they'd draw more crowds,' Kamath told Telegraph in 2015.Born into a humble family, Kamath learned early the importance of quality produce from his father, a fruit vendor. At just 14, he left school to help in his brother's eatery, 'Gokul Refreshments.' It was there that the spark for something bigger took root. He envisioned an ice cream that didn't rely on artificial flavors or mass production—but rather celebrated the rich bounty of Indian fruits.After parting ways with his brother, Kamath invested Rs 3.5 lakh and launched Naturals Ice Cream with a mere six staff members and a tiny 200 sq. ft. shop. His vision was clear: to craft pure, fruit-based ice creams with simple ingredients—fruit, milk, and sugar. The inaugural menu featured just 12 flavors, including sitaphal, tender coconut, jackfruit, muskmelon, and kala jamun. These were unheard-of in commercial ice creams at the time, and they immediately set Naturals apart.He kept advertising to a minimum, relying instead on word-of-mouth. His belief was that a good product would speak for itself—and it did.Over the years, the Naturals menu grew to include over 20 flavors available at any time, including bold options like gajar halwa, tilgul, cucumber, and prasadam.Naturals Ice Cream has now grown into a Rs 300+ crore enterprise with more than 165 outlets spread across 15 states in India. Its Tender Coconut flavor has even earned international recognition. Pushing boundaries even today, the company recently introduced vending machines to offer 24/7 ice cream access. This blend of tradition and innovation continues to drive Naturals forward. Raghunandan Kamath passed away in 2024 at the age of 75, leaving behind not just a successful business, but a legacy of taste, trust, and tenacity. From a small shop in Juhu to a nationwide brand adored by millions, his journey is a testament to what can be built from a simple idea, pure ingredients, and an unshakable dream.