Moolchand Kiran Kumar Jain, the dynamic Indian businessman who isn't just the Chairman of Lalitha Jewellery but also its most famous face! Hailing from Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, Kiran Kumar's journey is truly a glittering tale of rags to riches.
Born as the eighth child into a family facing tough times, Kiran Kumar's formal education stopped at the 5th grade. But that didn't stop him! He plunged into the jewellery trade at the tender age of 12, working as a child worker and laying the foundation for his future empire. His business officially began in actress Savitri Ganesan's house, a rather poetic beginning for a man who would become a household name.
Today, Lalitha Jewellery, established in 1985, is a BIS certified Indian jewellery group based in Chennai. And Kiran Kumar isn't just the chairman; he's the proud owner of what's described as the world's largest jewellery showroom, boasting a massive 1,30,000 sq ft of space, outshining even Malabar Gold's 1,10,000 sq ft showroom. With 50 showrooms now spread across India, Lalitha Jewellery is certainly making its mark. In 2017 alone, it made a whopping turnover of ₹110 billion.
But Kiran Kumar is more than just a businessman; he's a brand in himself! You'll often spot him starring as the brand ambassador in Lalitha Jewellery's television and print ads. His iconic dialogue, "Dabbulu Evariki Oorike Raavu" (Money doesn't come for free to anyone), has become incredibly popular across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. He even went viral on social media for a refreshingly down-to-earth moment, enjoying tiffin from a street food cart in Nellore.
And speaking of being the face, it's worth noting some recent buzz! Reports suggest that M. Kiran Kumar, for his role as brand ambassador, received a hefty Rs 50.2 crore in FY24. This figure reportedly made up about 60 percent of Lalithaa Jewellery's total marketing spend for that year, attracting attention from governance experts as the company reportedly prepares to go public.
Beyond the glitz and glamour of jewellery, Kiran Kumar has also had a foray into the automotive world, purchasing major shares of the auto company DC Design in 2016 and becoming a director. Interestingly, he was later involved in a complaint that led to the arrest of DC Design's founder, Dilip Chhabria, in connection with a car scam.
In his personal life, Kiran Kumar is married to Hema Kiran, and together they have three children. He's also known for his generous spirit, having donated ₹1 crore to the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister's relief fund during COVID-19, and another ₹1 crore for the Vijayawada flood relief fund in 2024. He also contributed ₹21 lakh towards the construction of the Sri Ayyappa Swamy Temple in Nandigama mandal.
From a child worker to a jewellery magnate and a viral sensation, Kiran Kumar is a true testament to ambition and hard work, with a flair for being the face of his shining empire!