Dr. Zarine Manchanda: The Heart of Mumbai’s Forgotten Lanes
On a mission to feed the hungry, clothe the poor, and care for the city’s most vulnerable!
Mumbai pulls people in with its promises of fame, fortune, and big dreams made real. Some come here to be seen. Others come to be heard. Dr. Zarine Manchanda came chasing the dream of stardom, just like many others before her. But what she found in the city changed everything.
Walking through its crowded streets, she noticed stories that were not being told, children with empty stomachs, families living in tin shelters, and elderly people surviving without support. This was a side of Mumbai she had not expected. And it stayed with her.
Born in the peaceful valleys of Himachal Pradesh, Zarine had always been drawn to beauty, ambition, and impact. But instead of film sets, she found purpose in the city’s forgotten corners. In 2019, she started the Zarine Manchanda Foundation, not with grand speeches, but with simple actions that made life a little better for those who had the least.
Since then, her foundation has led over 400 donation drives across slums and underserved areas, offering food, clothes, and comfort. People now call her the “Princess of the Poor,” a title earned not through wealth or fame, but through steady presence and deep compassion.
Zarine views this work as a responsibility. For her, it is a calling rather than an act of charity. She holds a deep belief that every individual deserves dignity, and every life carries the worth to be honoured and supported. Her story is about becoming a light for others. In a city full of dreamers, she found a different dream, one that lifts others as it rises.
Let us learn more about her journey:
From Acting Dreams to Active Impact
Zarine’s early years in Mumbai were defined by auditions, acting classes, and the pursuit of a film career. She created professional portfolios, immersed herself in the cinematic space, and explored every possible path to enter the industry. Over time, she began to reflect on whether this was the legacy she truly wished to leave behind.
Her focus gradually shifted towards public welfare and politics. Guided by experienced mentors, she explored how leadership could create meaningful and lasting change. This exploration led to the foundation of her charitable organization. It represented a redirection of her ambition and a deeper alignment with her values.
In 2020, during the global COVID-19 pandemic, Zarine launched the Zarine Manchanda Café, which offered a seven-star hospitality experience centered on wellness, spirituality, and elite service. While many ventures struggled during this time, her café grew rapidly and attracted celebrities, industry leaders and entrepreneurs interested in franchising the concept.
Encouraged by the response, she introduced a gourmet cloud kitchen called Heavenly Flavors and later a premium security service designed for film shoots and private gatherings. Each of these ventures served a purpose. They complemented one another, supported her foundation, and helped redefine how luxury and service can work together.
Where Luxury Meets Spirituality
Zarine’s approach is built on the idea that luxury should have depth and meaning. Her café interiors and private security operations reflect an elegance rooted in grace and calm.
She introduced the term spiritual charm to describe the atmosphere she aims to create. Whether a person visits her café or receives support from her foundation, the experience is designed to feel thoughtful, warm, and dignified.
Her foundation follows the same philosophy. Instead of focusing on scarcity, Zarine ensures that every act of service uplifts and respects. Her teams are trained to preserve dignity and create positive emotional experiences. Expansion plans include mobile clinics, elder care facilities, and community food centers, which will all operate with these guiding values.
Adapting to a Changed World
The pandemic changed how people work and also reformed what they expect from their interactions. Isolation, uncertainty, and remote life made emotional connection more valuable than ever.
Zarine understood this change early. Rather than expanding digital reach, she made her businesses more human. Her teams received training in emotional intelligence and service skills that prioritized understanding and empathy.
Customers were treated with care, and employees were empowered to lead with confidence. This human-centered approach allowed her businesses to stay strong in a shifting economic environment.
Staying Grounded Through Loss and Faith
The last few years brought significant personal transformation. After the passing of her parents, Zarine found a stronger sense of clarity and direction. She now views time as her greatest guide and makes decisions based on purpose rather than external approval.
Her spiritual relationship with God guides every choice she makes. Whether launching a new initiative or expanding her foundation, she remains deeply connected to divine timing.
This sense of alignment builds her leadership style. It brings together ambition and humility in equal measure. When asked what she would say to her younger self, her message is to stay true to her values, move forward with courage, and believe that what is meant will find its way.
Scaling with Intention
As her businesses gain recognition, Zarine receives frequent requests to franchise both in India and abroad. She remains thoughtful in her approach. For her expansion, she must protect the core essence of the brand.
She is planning international growth, but only in locations where her philosophy can flourish. Her upcoming ventures include more café outlets, enhanced services, and entry into global hospitality markets.
At the same time, her social initiatives are expanding with plans for mobile healthcare vans, schools for orphaned children, and elder care homes designed with comfort and dignity. Her model promotes a mindset where business growth and social responsibility support each other.
Courage Over Credentials
Zarine respects formal education but often credits instinct as her most important teacher. Academic learning gave her structure, but real-life challenges cultivated her resilience and sharpened her focus.
Her confidence grew through experiences that required perseverance and inner strength. She credits her parents, especially their discipline and ethics, but it was her own willingness to take bold steps that turned ideas into achievements.
She encourages more women, particularly those from traditional backgrounds, to believe in their capabilities and pursue their goals with confidence and passion.
Leadership The Zarine Way
Zarine believes leadership must be rooted in empathy, integrity and personal responsibility. Her mother’s words that God is always watching serve as a daily reminder and moral guide.
In her view, employees are partners who carry responsibility and deserve respect. This belief forms how she builds teams and manages her companies.
Her leadership culture values trust and ownership. It helps attract committed individuals, improve service quality, and build lasting loyalty. She believes that when people feel respected, they naturally rise to the occasion and give their best.
A Brand That Connects
Over time, Zarine’s brand has evolved with authenticity. She receives regular media attention and proposals for collaboration from business and philanthropic groups. This consistent interest has come without the need for aggressive promotion.
She believes this success is due to her ability to connect deeply with both customers and communities. Her ventures tell stories that people relate to and remember.
Her signature style offers luxury without pride and service without superiority. This balanced approach gives her name credibility across various industries and cultural spaces.
A Global Vision Rooted in Local Care
Zarine’s next phase involves taking her business model to the global stage. She is already in discussions with international partners and exploring new opportunities. Yet her focus remains grounded in the communities she serves.
She believes global influence must begin with local empathy. Her foundation’s initiatives, such as food services, mobile health vans and education programs, are designed to uplift without losing compassion.
Her ability to balance growth with care sets her apart. Her story inspires belief because it shows that commercial success and social impact can grow together.
Can You Just Imagine
If her life were a book, the title would be ‘Can You Just Imagine?’ which is a phrase she often uses to describe her journey that feels both improbable and intentional.
She has earned two National Awards, the Nelson Mandela Peace Award and an honorary doctorate. These honors are meaningful, but for her, the most valuable reward is knowing that her work has made a difference.
Her story reflects a blend of vision, action, and compassion that continues to influence lives in many ways.
Her Message to the Next Generation
Zarine shares a powerful message for aspiring entrepreneurs. Drawing from her own journey and achievements, she highlights the importance of being bold and embracing calculated risks. She encourages young entrepreneurs to avoid blending in with the crowd and instead focus on identifying their unique selling proposition (USP). According to her, acting decisively on this distinct strength can open doors to lasting success.
She emphasizes that true progress requires moving away from one’s comfort zone and thinking creatively. In her view, this mindset creates a stronger foundation and a more secure path toward reaching meaningful goals.
Today, Zarine stands as both a successful entrepreneur and a dedicated philanthropist who has made a significant impact on society. Her journey has involved numerous challenges and moments of uncertainty. Still, her consistent efforts and firm belief in herself have shown what is possible through determination and perseverance. Her story continues to inspire many, serving as a reminder of the strength that comes from resilience and a bold vision.