In a city as complex as Mumbai—where skyscrapers cast shadows over slums and ambition competes with adversity—there are stories that don’t just rise, they radiate. Zarine Manchanda’s is one such story.
Entrepreneur. Humanitarian. Politician. And yet, none of these titles quite capture the essence of a woman who has made elegance her language and empathy her compass. Zarine isn’t just participating in the Indian dream—she’s redesigning it.
Where It All Began: A Childhood Rooted in Responsibility
Before the camera flashes and political rallies, there was the quiet resilience of Himachal Pradesh, where Zarine was raised in a home that viewed leadership as duty, not dominance. Her father, a cabinet minister, instilled early lessons in civic responsibility—planting the seeds for a life that would grow far beyond the hills.
Though she first pursued a career in Bollywood, Zarine quickly realized that fame without purpose felt hollow. What Mumbai’s studios offered in glamour, the streets outside demanded in compassion. The contrast between affluence and abandonment became impossible to ignore—and eventually impossible not to act upon.
The Foundation of Change
In 2019, the Zarine Manchanda Foundation was born—not as a grand announcement, but as a simple act of service in Aarey Colony, distributing food to those in need.
What followed was a rare example of grassroots activism meeting sustained commitment. As COVID-19 devastated livelihoods across India, her foundation became a lifeline—distributing rations, medication, and support to thousands. Where many efforts dimmed after the headlines faded, Zarine’s only grew stronger.
Awards poured in—from the Nelson Mandela Peace Award to recognitions from governors and women’s leadership panels—but for Zarine, impact remains the real accolade. “Awards are milestones,” she says. “But the destination is always dignity for every citizen.”
Redefining Luxury: The Seven-Star Ethos
Most wouldn’t pair social work with the indulgent world of high-end hospitality. Zarine did. And she did it with intent.
Her Seven-Star Café in Mumbai is not just a dining experience—it’s an immersion into mindfulness. Think Himachali textures, Buddhist serenity, and culinary finesse. It’s where calm meets class.
And that was just the beginning. She expanded into multiple sectors: a cloud kitchen (Heavenly Flavours), an ethnic cuisine brand (Flavours of Himachal Pradesh), an interior design studio, and even a security agency—all underpinned by the same mission: deliver excellence with heart.
Where critics see contradiction between luxury and service, Zarine sees synergy. “Luxury doesn’t mean excess,” she insists. “It means attention to detail. That same detail is needed whether you’re plating a meal or planning a social intervention.”
From Spotlight to Statesmanship
In 2024, Zarine took her most ambitious leap yet—into politics. Launching the Zarine Manchanda People’s Party (ZMPP), she set her sights on Andheri West with a manifesto rooted in empathy, infrastructure, and empowerment.
Healthcare, housing, women’s safety, and education form the bedrock of her campaign—but it’s her method that sets her apart. No loud rhetoric. No populist distractions. Just a clear call for policy driven by compassion.
The ZMPP’s lion emblem echoes her personal brand: regal yet approachable, strong yet sensitive. It’s a visual cue that this isn’t politics as usual—it’s governance with a soul.
Beyond the Glamour: A Strategy of Substance
Zarine’s presence on red carpets and in glossy magazines may raise eyebrows—but behind the fashion-forward façade lies a well-honed strategy. “Visibility isn’t vanity,” she says. “It’s a vehicle.”
Her media presence draws attention to her causes—from rural medical access to women’s entrepreneurship. As Chairperson for Maharashtra Women Empowerment, she champions the idea that women don’t have to choose between influence and integrity. They can have both. They must.
The Bigger Vision: What Comes Next
Zarine’s roadmap for the next decade is as multifaceted as she is:
- Humanitarian Expansion: Launching mobile health units, subsidized kitchens, and educational initiatives for underserved communities.
- Business Scaling: Bringing her unique café and restaurant experiences to other Indian metros and eventually to global audiences.
- Political Momentum: Cementing ZMPP as a force of reform, justice, and transparency in Indian politics.
Her vision is simple, if not easy: a society where dignity is a right, not a reward.
Why She Matters Now
In an era where power often feels disconnected from people, Zarine Manchanda stands out for her fusion of glamour and grit, empathy and enterprise. She’s part of a new wave of leadership—one that doesn’t separate the boardroom from the ballot box, or the red carpet from the relief camp.
She’s not asking to be followed. She’s offering a map—for women, for changemakers, for anyone who refuses to accept that success must come at the cost of soul.
The Final Word
From her roots in Himachal to her rising influence in Maharashtra, Zarine Manchanda is proof that leadership today requires more than just ambition—it needs alignment of purpose, poise, and persistence.
Her story is still unfolding, but the message is clear: it’s possible to lead with both a lion’s roar and a healer’s touch.
“We don’t need to choose between beauty and bravery,” she says. “India deserves leaders who offer both.”