JOIN OUR WHATSAPP CHANNEL
Who is Xerxes Desai and where is he now? Meet Indian business tycoon whose life inspired Jim Sarbh’s Made in India: A Titan Story
Here’s all you need to know about the real-life Titan founder, Xerxes Desai, who put India on the world map through his relentless hard work and determination.
Naseeruddin Shah and Jim Sarbh starrer Made In India: A Titan Story is making headlines ever since it hit the OTT platform. The 6-episodic series forays into the origin story of India’s most successful consumer brand, Titan, and its visionary founder, Xerxes Desai, who spent his life to make Titan a world-class watch and a household name under the guidance and support of J.R.D Tata.
Actor Jim Sarbh, who is best known for Padmaavat, Rocket Boys, Taish, and others, essayed the character of Xerxes Desai, while Naseeruddin Shah played J.R.D. Tata. Here’s all you need to know about the real-life Titan founder who put India on the world map through his relentless hard work and determination.
Who is Xerxes Desai?
Born in 1937, Xerxes Desai hailed from a Parsi family. He completed his graduation at Elphinstone College (Mumbai University) and Oxford University before joining the Tata Group in 1961. Xerxes was married to Rajni Desai.
In the 1970s, J.R.D Tata challenged Xerxes Desai to find a solution for the financial losses of Tata Press. Desai went on head-to-head and soon came up with the idea of luxury watchmaking. Initially, Tata wasn’t much in favor of the watch business, but Desai not only convinced him but also the board.
How Xerxes Desai founded Titan?
Xerxes Desai founded Titan as a joint venture between the Tata Group and the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) in 1986. It was located in Tamil Nadu’s Hosur.
The visionary businessman introduced quartz watches in India, and it soon became a household name. He later challenged his engineers to make the world’s thinnest watch, Titan Edge, which they finally achieved in 2002.
After making Titan a world-class watchmaking company, Desai went on to introduce a jewelry brand, Tanishq.
Xerxes Desai’s retirement and legacy
Desai retired in 2002 after serving for over four decades in the Tata Group. He was succeeded by Bhaskar Bhat. Today, Titan has seen multifold success, with its business spanning watches, jewellery, fashion accessories, and more. Xerxes took his last breath in 2016 at Bengaluru in Karnataka.
Made In India: A Titan Story is streaming on Amazon MX Player. Based on Vinay Kamath's book Titan: Inside India's Most Successful Consumer Brand, the show is helmed by Robie Grewal.
Stay tuned to Pinkvilla for more updates.
