Panasa Group to invest Rs 1,000 cr in North Hyderabad over next 5 years

A business executive has become a business leader over a period of just 25 years. The man, who was marketing door-to-door in 1998, is delivering dream homes in 2023. He donned multiple hats and excelled in all the roles including salesman, assistant director, ad film maker, journalist, event organiser, film distributor, real estate developer, film producer, liquor curator, politician and philanthropist.

In an exclusive interview with Bizz Buzz, Panasa Group of Companies Founder Chairman Ravi Kumar Panasa shares his inspiring entrepreneurial journey. His passion for perfection led him to reach great heights. He has Panasa Infra and Developers, Ravi Panasa Film Corporation, ML Luxury Spirits, and now setting up Panasa Charitable Trust

When did you start your entrepreneurial journey? How are you donning many hats and excelling in all the businesses?

I started my career as a business executive at Eureka Forbes in 1997 selling vacuum cleaners to households. After a year, I joined Tata Cellular as Sales Executive and escalated to the position of team leader and business manager over a short period. As I was passionate towards film-making, I had quit the job in 2001 and joined as assistant director in the team of Telugu film director Puri Jagannanth.

Apart from movies, I also worked for ad films for around five years. Later, I entered the print media field as a journalist. I worked as the editor for two film magazines – CineStar and Mayanagar. I also started a public relations & event management company – RK Media Promotions, which used to manage dates of leading actors, brand endorsements, appearances and call sheets, apart from organising major events.

In 2019, I forayed into the real estate sector and founded Panasa Infra & Developers. Though there was an initial gap due to the Covid-induced restrictions, we have come up with a gated community in Shamshabad as the first project. Soon, we have lined up a premium farmhouse venture in Shamshabad near the airport, a residential apartment project in Hitec City and a commercial complex in Dilsukhnagar.

What are the ongoing and upcoming projects?

Bliss Royale is a HMDA layout project with premium amenities and connectivity. This 100-acre venture is strategically designed to stay close to regional and outer ring roads so that the investment continues to grow. We built the venture in close proximity to Electronic City Maheshwaram, Wonderla Amusement Park, KCR Cricket Ground, ORR, Bangalore and Srisailam Highway.

Our layout is near to Mansepally Crossroads, just 15 minutes away from RGI Airport and 37 minutes from the Statue of Equality. It is at the center of future development and nearer to the ITIR (Information Technology Investment Region). While staying close to serene nature, it is well connected to the city. Our vast gated community gives many advantages.

Our venture is a good value for investment as it is located in a prime location that promises future development. Investing in Bliss Royale will reap high returns as the property is situated at the center of developments. In the past few years, this area has seen unprecedented growth and has become a hub for major industries, schools, and hospitals.

Another project Bliss Weekend is a 52-acre farmhouse venture at an affordable price in a premium community. It is situated in Sidhapur area. Purchasing a weekend home will prove to be an impactful financial decision. The prices will increase in the coming years as the Sidhapur area is bustling with IT companies and premium education and healthcare centers. As this venture is close to nature and not far off from the city, the homebuyers can enjoy the best of both worlds (nature and city life).

Apart from these, we have Panasa Business Hub which is an ongoing commercial complex in Dilsukhnagar and Panasa Heights is an upcoming residential apartment project in the Narsingi-Puppalaguda region close to Hitec City.

There was a buzz that you have constructed Elon Musk's Model House in Hyderabad. What is that?

World's most renowned multi billionaire Elon Musk owns a modest house in Texas which has been popular as a $50,000 home. We have made a design similar to that of Musk's Texas home and started constructing many such houses in Bliss Weekend Homes.

Already many affluent people of the city owned their weekend homes in this venture. The idea of building a clone to Musk's Texas home is unanimously appreciated by all those owners of these plots. We never think of anything normal. We go with the taste of the world's best brains and the most successful people.

We got hooked to a simple but impressive design of a weekend home. When we inquired we came to know that it's the design of Musk's Texas house. So, with due respect to the international celebrity, we followed his footsteps.

Why are you bullish on North Hyderabad? Could you tell us about your future projects?

Just like those living in the US, people here are also willing to move even 50-100 km away from the city to live in a peaceful environment. Over the next few years, North Hyderabad will look similar to New York or Texas. Thanks to proximity to the airport and availability of a huge land bank. Over the next one year, I anticipate 40 per cent increase in the return on investments.

Panasa Group will be investing Rs 500-1,000 crore in North Hyderabad over the coming five years. I chose to invest in this part of the city because there is a huge growth potential. The company has around 500-700 acres of land, where it is planning to take up over 50 ventures. Among them, a majority of the projects will be plotted layouts and the rest of them will be luxury villa communities.

What are your plans as Zimbabwe Trade Commissioner?

This February, I was appointed as Zimbabwe Trade Commissioner for Telangana and Andhra Pradesh for the Zimbabwe India Trade Council at New Delhi. In this position, I am able to connect the traders and investors from both Telugu states to grab the opportunities in this African nation across gold, diamond, platinum and liquor businesses.

What are the other businesses of Panasa Group?

Last year, I opened ML Luxury Spirits, a premium liquor mart, at Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad. This is considered as South India's largest superstore for luxurious wines and spirits. I have thoughtfully curated the rare and coveted brands from 190 countries that are known not only for their distinctive quality but also for being the most expensive.

I have recently launched a production house – Ravi Panasa Film Corporation. A yet to be titled film was announced on April 10, 2023 with Masooda-fame Thiruveer as the protagonist and a debutant GG as its director. The period drama is being presented by Asian Films on the name of Narayana Das Narang. With an impressive cast, talented director and high production values, I am confident it will be a big hit.

Earlier, I had distributed many films in both Telugu States. I have discontinued the film distribution in 2018 as we have faced severe losses after Krishna Vamsi-directed Nakshatram failed at box office. It took five years to return back to the industry as a film producer. From now, I wish to make at least three movies a year. Finance is not an issue for the right film.

These days, if we submit the script to OTT players like Netflix, Amazon Prime and Zee5, they will provide the funds.

Let us know about your charitable activities?

I have also initiated ground work to set up Panasa Charitable Trust over the next one year. I am still identifying around 100 orphans, including children and old-age people. With the CSR funds, I will be constructing a huge building at Shamshabad to accommodate them. I will also take care of all their educational and medical needs respectively.