Nikhil Kamath says Indian brands are beating the West at luxury game, 'Who says Indians can’t build premium brands for global market?'

In a recent episode of his podcast, Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath said that certain Indian brands are topping the game in foreign markets such as the United States and Dubai.

Nikhil Kamath says Indian brands are doing well in Dubai, US

He added that the indigenous brands will achieve a stronger and more consistent international footprint in the near future.

The entrepreneur opined that Indian brands now making successful businesses in foreign locations have shattered the existing belief that our companies are unable to build premium brands that succeed globally.

Listing down recent achievements, Kamath mentioned that Subko has launched a flagship store at Dubai’s Alserkal Avenue, SuperYou has begun selling in Dubai, and fashion label 11.11 has entered New York.

He also pointed out that 11.11 even found its way into popular culture, with Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt wearing the brand in a film “without any paid promotion.”

Kamath also added that Nappa Dori has an international presence close to Subko’s Dubai outlet. While clarifying that he has 'no association' with the brand, the Zerodha boss said he takes pride in seeing its success abroad.

The Fintech entrepreneur said that the Indian brands are increasingly competing on the global stage on their own terms, rather than by copying Western labels. Kamath called this a 'quiet but meaningful change' in how 'Made in India' is being perceived internationally.

He added that his startup venture platform, Join the Foundry, is trying to add momentum to this shift.

Kamath said that the initiative intends to build more Indian brands that are “premium, artisan-led, culturally rooted and globally relevant.”

People said Indians can’t build premium brands that work abroad, well here’s Rahul at Subkos flagship store at Dubai Alserkal, Superyou now sells in Dubai, 11.11 sells in New York and Brad Pitt wears it in a movie (unpaid), Nappa Dori is on the parallel street to Subko in… pic.twitter.com/Xfueq42RhN

— Nikhil Kamath (@nikhilkamathcio) January 19, 2026

Netizens respond

The post received a lot of reaction from the netizens.

"Indian craftsmanship + Global aesthetic = Unstoppable. The world is finally waking up to what 'Premium Indian' actually looks like," a user commented.

"This is important because it breaks a long-held assumption. Indian brands were never short on creativity...... what’s changing is execution, consistency, and confidence to play on a global stage," another individual said.

"Happy and proud to see Indian brands doing great not just in India but internationally," a third user wrote.

Also read: “Defies every age by turning fear into confidence”: Meet ‘Driver Amma’, Kerala’s 74-YO saree-clad woman who drives Rolls-Royce in Dubai (startuppedia.in)