– M Rafi Ahmed
As to the quote of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ – Riches are not from an abundance of worldly goods but from a contented mind – Irfan Razack (72), a Bengaluru based business magnet is a man with a vision to uplift the downtrodden through his philanthropy. Hard work with dedication and determination paid him off well from a humble beginning learning the nuances of trade at his dad Razack Sattar’s Prestige Fashions, a small tailoring store.
The success story of Irfan Razack, according to Hamara Hyderabad, didn’t inherit a business empire, but built it brick by brick and belief by belief. Interestingly, he learnt his first business lesson not from a classroom, but across the counter at his dad’s store. Though he had dreamed of becoming a lawyer or a chartered accountant, he had to step into his family business as he had to shoulder the responsibilities. From textile biz, he ventured into a world of real estate along with his brothers in 1986. That’s how the Prestige Group was born to be what it is now.
It wasn’t easy for him as he had to face the challenges in life to set up his business empire. Overcoming his difficulties, he built his real estate business as he earned the trust of his customers by maintaining quality which is the mantra for his success. From building Forum Mall, South India’s first luxury mall, to landmark projects like UB City and Prestige Shantiniketan, he reshaped Bengaluru’s skyline.
As of now, Prestige Group has completed 285+ projects built across residential, commercial, retail and hospitality sectors, expanded throughout South India and reached a valuation of over Rs 51,000 crore. At 72, Irfan Razack remains one of India’s most respected real estate entrepreneurs – not because of where he started, but because of what he chose to build.
According to 2024 Forbes India Rich List, he is the 49th wealthiest Indian, with a personal wealth of $6 billion, and Prestige was the second largest listed property firm in India and is also the Chairman and Co-Founder of Inventure Academy, Bengaluru. He was Honorary Secretary of Al-Ameen Educational Society, President of Bangalore Commercial Association (BCA) and Chairman of CREDAI.
To his credit, Irfan Razack has several awards including business excellence such as Real Estate Excellence Award (2008), Best Developer Award (2009) by Karnataka State Town Planning Development and Entrepreneur Extraordinaire Award (2010) by Builders Association of India and Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India while not to speak of Lifetime Achievement Award.
Noteworthy to mention that beyond his contributions to the real estate industry, Irfan Razack is known for his philanthropic endeavours. He believes in giving back to society and actively engages in various initiatives focused on education, healthcare, and community welfare. As a responsible corporate citizen, he has initiated several sustainable practices within the organisation, emphasising environmental conservation and social responsibility.
As the chairman of Prestige Group, Irfan Razack continues to shape the future of the organisation and the real estate landscape in India. His unwavering dedication, entrepreneurial spirit, and forward-thinking approach have cemented his position as a respected industry veteran and a visionary leader. With his profound expertise and passion for excellence, Razack remains committed to driving Prestige Group towards new heights of success, while leaving an indelible mark on the Indian real estate industry. Undoubtedly, Irfan Razack’s story is definitely an inspiration to the present gen as to the quote of Missile Man of India Dr APJ Abdul Kalam – Be a job-provider and not a job-seeker.
[The author is former Indian Express and Deccan Chronicle chief]
