On a bright afternoon in Mumbai’s Andheri West, a small group of volunteers gathers at a slum settlement. Plastic chairs line the narrow alley, children crowd around with expectant eyes, and a police patrol helps maintain the swelling crowd. At the center of it all stands Zarine Manchanda, dressed in her signature elegant attire, warmly greeting families as they collect packets of food, clothes, and essentials. For the hundreds present, she is not merely a visitor but a lifeline, a “Princess of the Poor,” as some call her, echoing the compassion of her icons, Princess Diana and Mother Teresa.
This scene is one of many that define Zarine’s journey, a story of ambition, reinvention, and resilience. From Bollywood hopeful to philanthropist, luxury entrepreneur, and now political leader, her life unfolds like a modern fable, reminding us how setbacks can be the seedbeds of greater purpose.
Roots in the Hills, Dreams in the City
Born and raised in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, Zarine grew up amid political gravitas and spiritual traditions. Her father, a cabinet minister and prominent businessman, exposed her to governance, while her mother instilled deep values of faith, ethics, and compassion. Dharamshala, home to the Dalai Lama and Tibetan monasteries, gave her an early connection to spirituality, something that would later seep into every facet of her ventures.
Yet, like many young women fascinated by cinema’s glamour, the passionate leader set her sights on Mumbai’s film industry. She arrived in the city of dreams determined to make her mark in Bollywood. Audition after audition, however, yielded little more than disappointment. The harsh reality of the industry slowly dimmed her cinematic aspirations. But while Bollywood didn’t open its doors, destiny quietly pointed her toward a different stage, the streets, slums, and underserved communities of Mumbai.
The Birth of a Foundation
In 2019, Zarine officially launched the Zarine Manchanda Foundation, headquartered in Aarey Colony. What began as small charity drives soon transformed into one of Mumbai’s most active grassroots organizations.
Within its first year, the Foundation organized more than 100 programs, distributing food, clothing, medicines, and sanitary supplies to slum dwellers, tribal areas, and underprivileged neighborhoods. Even during the COVID-19 lockdowns, when movement was restricted and fear gripped the city, Zarine pressed on. With police support, her team conducted relief drives in Andheri, navigating long queues, angry residents, and logistical hurdles.
It was here that Zarine truly discovered her voice. “Bollywood was a dream, but service is my calling,” she once told a journalist. “The real stars are not on screen, they’re the people who endure so much with dignity and courage.”
Her efforts soon attracted attention. From India Today’s “45 Most Influential Indians” to Femina’s “Fabulous 50 Women”, national magazines spotlighted her work. In 2021, she won two national awards for philanthropy and the Nelson Mandela Peace Award, which also conferred an honorary doctorate. By February 2022, her Foundation achieved the coveted 80G certification, allowing corporate CSR donations to fund broader initiatives such as mobile medical clinics, schools, old-age homes, and orphanages.
Luxury Meets Spirituality: The Entrepreneurial Spark
Even as the passionate leader was building a name in charity, Zarine was quietly shaping her entrepreneurial empire. In 2020, she opened the Zarine Manchanda Café in Andheri, marketed as India’s first true 7-star café. Every detail was infused with her signature mix of luxury and spirituality: Tibetan bells from Dharamshala, intricate décor designed by her own interiors brand, and a tagline that read, “Delicious, Luxurious, Spiritual Charm.”
The café became a hotspot for Mumbai’s elites, drawing attention for its blend of indulgence and meditation-like calm. Soon after, Zarine expanded into Heavenly Flavors (a 7-star cloud kitchen), Zarine Manchanda Interiors, a 7-star security service, Flavors of Himachal Pradesh (a regional fine-dining restaurant), and Treasures of the Himalayas, a boutique offering spiritual artifacts.
For Zarine, these ventures were not just about wealth creation, they were about carving out a unique niche where luxury coexisted with spiritual depth. “Why should luxury feel soulless?” she asked in an interview. “True luxury uplifts the spirit.”
Politics and the People’s Voice
Philanthropy and business gave Zarine visibility, but her ambitions stretched further. In 2021, the passionate leader was appointed Regional Director for Mumbai at the BRICS Chamber of Commerce & Industry. In 2023, she was named Chairperson of the Maharashtra Women Empowerment Committee. By 2024, Zarine announced the boldest step yet: launching her own political party, the Zarine Manchanda People’s Party (ZMPP), with plans to contest elections from Andheri West.
Her manifesto emphasizes healthcare, education, urban renewal, women’s empowerment, and social equity. Unlike many politicians, Zarine built her base not on promises but on trust, trust earned through years of visible charity drives in the very neighborhoods she now hopes to represent.
Challenges and Criticism
Success, however, has not come without scrutiny. From skepticism about her Bollywood background to criticism of mixing luxury with philanthropy, Zarine has faced her share of detractors. Some questioned whether her 7-star branding was too ostentatious for someone committed to serving the poor. The passionate leader, unshaken, often responds with clarity: “Compassion and success are not opposites. When you blend dignity with service, you empower the poor not with pity but with pride.”
Another challenge was managing logistics during the pandemic, where relief operations attracted complaints from residents about traffic and crowds. Yet Zarine’s willingness to collaborate with authorities and her persistence in showing up earned her lasting respect.
Philosophy of Leadership
Central to Zarine’s leadership is the principle of strategic delegation. She often quotes: “A fish will feel foolish when asked to climb a tree.” For her, the key lies in placing people where their strengths shine. The passionate leader leads with empathy but insists on excellence, believing that compassion must be matched by discipline and professionalism.
Spirituality is her anchor. Raised with teachings of karma, integrity, and selfless service, she infuses these values into every venture. From a blessing bell at her café to prayers before a charity drive, her work remains spiritually guided.
Recognition and Public Image
Zarine’s unique blend of glamour, spirituality, and grassroots work has made her a media favorite. Forbes, Fortune, and multiple lifestyle publications have profiled her as an icon of change. She’s been dubbed a “Rising Media Star,” a “Game-Changer,” and even a “Mother of Millions.”
Her image, always elegant, poised, and articulate, has made her a role model for young women seeking to balance ambition with values. Critics may debate her methods, but few deny her charisma and influence.
Future Vision: Building a Legacy
Looking ahead, Zarine envisions scaling her Foundation internationally, creating networks of hospitals, mobile clinics, schools, and old-age homes. Her café and security brands are already receiving franchise inquiries from Dubai, London, New York, and Singapore.
Politically, the passionate leader hopes to transform ZMPP into a credible force advocating for social justice, gender equity, and urban development. “Politics is not power for me,” she says. “It’s the ultimate platform for service.”
A Life in Motion
Zarine often describes her journey with one phrase: “Can you just imagine?” To her, it captures the audacity of dreaming and the thrill of realizing what once seemed impossible. From a Bollywood hopeful to a nationally celebrated philanthropist and budding political leader, the passionate leader has reinvented herself again and again.
Her story is not simply about charity or business; it is about resilience, reinvention, and faith. Whether she is distributing food in Mumbai’s slums, launching a new luxury venture, or preparing to step onto the political stage, Zarine Manchanda embodies a paradox that feels refreshingly modern: compassion with charisma, service with style, and leadership with heart.