Nilesh Shah, growing up in Kalbadevi chawl in Mumbai, faced immense financial challenges. After his father passed away when he was young, his mother supported the family and encouraged him to focus on his studies. Today, he is the MD and Group President of Kotak Mutual Fund, a Mahindra company. Let's read about his inspiring journey.

Background

Nilesh Shah faced significant challenges early in life, living in a cramped 250-square-foot room after his father's demise. His mother took on the responsibility of raising him and always encouraged him to excel in his studies. Recognizing Nilesh's academic potential, his school principal waived his fees under the condition that he would need to be at the top of his class. The support from his school and his mother led to positive changes in his life. 

Corporate journey

Nilesh juggled household responsibilities with his studies. While an MBA was popular at the time, he chose to pursue a CA instead. He began with an internship at a firm where he earned a stipend of Rs 50, which later increased to Rs 250, easing his financial strain and allowing him to focus more on his studies. His hard work paid off when he achieved the top rank in the CA final exams nationwide, marking the start of his successful journey.

Successful career

Nilesh Shah is currently the MD of Kotak Mutual Fund, which oversees a fund of Rs 4 lakh crore. As per reports, he receives an annual salary exceeding Rs 15 crore. Despite his impressive success, Shah values trust over wealth. In a podcast, he shared that his mother always taught and inspired him to confront challenges with resilience.