The first thing people notice about a Malaki bottle isn’t the beverage inside—it’s the bottle itself.

Its sharp crystal-like edges catch the light differently, making it look more like a luxury collectible than something picked up from a supermarket shelf. Inspired by the Kohinoor diamond and handcrafted by artisans in Agra, the bottle has quietly become the identity of the brand. But for founder Mohit Bhatia, the design was never about aesthetics alone. It was about sending a message: Indian brands can be premium, aspirational, and globally admired.

That belief has shaped Malaki from day one.

Long before launching the beverage startup, Mohit had built an unconventional career. He worked across investment banking, law, entrepreneurship, and the food business—industries that seem disconnected on paper but collectively taught him how businesses are built, funded, and scaled.

“I always believed India was entering a phase where consumers would actively seek premium experiences,” he says. “If international brands could build billion-dollar businesses here, why couldn’t Indian brands do the same?”

It was a simple question that eventually became the foundation of Malaki.

Betting on India’s Premium Revolution

India has long been known as a price-sensitive market, but consumer aspirations have changed dramatically over the past decade. Whether it’s fashion, skincare, coffee, or dining, people today are willing to spend more on products that offer a superior experience.

Mohit saw the same shift unfolding in beverages.

Instead of competing in the crowded mass-market category, Malaki chose to speak to consumers who wanted something different—something luxurious, beautifully designed, and memorable.

One of the company’s earliest products, 24-karat gold water, perfectly reflected that philosophy. While many questioned whether Indian consumers would accept such a premium offering, the product quickly found its audience among luxury hotels and hospitality chains.

For Mohit, that early response validated an important lesson.

“You don’t need everyone to buy your product. You need to deeply understand the customer you’re building for.”

That mindset continues to shape every decision inside the company.

A Brand Name Born in Dubai

Interestingly, even the name Malaki has a deeply personal story.

During co-founder Ashish Bhatia’s time in Dubai, the family came across the Arabic word “Malaki,” meaning royalty. The word instantly resonated with both Mohit and Ashish, who felt it perfectly captured the premium experience they wanted to create through the brand.

It wasn’t chosen because it sounded luxurious.

It was chosen because it reflected the experience they wanted customers to feel every time they interacted with the brand.

Whether someone buys a bottle from a luxury hotel, a premium retail outlet, or online, the founders want the experience to feel special from the very first glance.

Innovation Doesn’t Start in a Boardroom

While many companies rely heavily on market reports, Mohit prefers listening directly to customers.

Every new product begins with a simple test.

First, the founders ask themselves whether they genuinely love the idea. Then they produce small batches, share them with consumers, collect honest feedback, and refine the product before scaling production.

This process has helped Malaki avoid chasing short-lived trends while staying closely connected to changing consumer preferences.

For Mohit, innovation isn’t about launching the maximum number of products.

“It’s about launching products that people actually come back to.”

The Bottle That Became the Brand

If there’s one thing that instantly separates Malaki from every other beverage brand, it’s the bottle.

Inspired by the legendary Kohinoor diamond, the concept was first sketched by the founders on a paper napkin before being transformed into reality by skilled glass craftsmen in Agra. Together, Mohit and Ashish spent months refining the design until it reflected the premium identity they envisioned for Malaki.

Creating it wasn’t easy.

Designing, manufacturing, and perfecting the bottle took months of experimentation before the founders were satisfied. The final design was later patented, ensuring it remained exclusive to the brand.

Today, customers often recognize Malaki before reading its label—a rare achievement for any young consumer brand.

Shark Tank Changed More Than Visibility

Appearing on Shark Tank India undoubtedly brought Malaki national attention.

But according to Mohit, the biggest takeaway wasn’t television exposure.

It was a shift in mindset.

“The experience taught us to think much bigger than we were thinking before.”

That confidence has translated into aggressive expansion plans.

Having raised over ₹10 crore, including a ₹5.7 crore seed round, Malaki is investing heavily in product development, distribution, brand building, and assembling the kind of team required to create a lasting consumer company.

For Mohit, fundraising is not the destination.

It’s simply fuel for the journey ahead.

Sustainability That Goes Beyond Packaging

Luxury and sustainability don’t always go hand in hand.

Mohit wanted Malaki to prove they could.

Instead of plastic, the company chose recyclable glass packaging despite the operational complexities that came with it.

More recently, Malaki has launched a pilot initiative in Goa where electric vehicles collect used glass bottles for recycling, creating a closed-loop system that reduces waste while encouraging responsible consumption.

It’s still in its early stages, but Mohit hopes the model can eventually expand across India.

“We want premium products to also be responsible products,” he says.

Taking an Indian Brand Beyond Indian Borders

Although Malaki has already started exporting in limited quantities, its global ambitions are only beginning.

The company plans to strengthen its presence across the UAE, Maldives, and Sri Lanka over the coming year, markets where premium beverage consumption continues to grow.

Mohit believes Indian founders often underestimate themselves.

For decades, India welcomed iconic global consumer brands.

Now, he believes the country has everything required to build brands that travel in the opposite direction—from India to the world.

Building for Decades, Not Quarters

Ask Mohit what success looks like, and the answer isn’t a valuation figure or revenue milestone.

He wants Malaki to become one of those brands that quietly becomes part of people’s lives—a name families recognize, trust, and celebrate.

His advice to aspiring entrepreneurs reflects the same long-term thinking.

Don’t build your business only for the next funding round.

Don’t build it only for your first successful exit.

Build something that still matters twenty years from now.

Because enduring brands, he believes, aren’t created through shortcuts or overnight success.

They’re built through patience, relentless innovation, countless iterations, and the courage to think far bigger than everyone else.

For Mohit Bhatia, Malaki is more than a premium beverage company.

It’s his attempt to prove that the next great global luxury brand doesn’t have to come from Europe or America.

It can proudly carry the label—Made in India.

Interview By: Arushi Agarwal