Back in the 1980s and 90s, the Bombay Stock Exchange had a ring...
...and the trading would open for only two hours in the afternoon
The stock brokers used gestures and secret signals on the floor to make trades happen
But Radhakishan Damani would just stand idle and understand the pulse of the market
He is now one of India's most successful stock investors
Damani started working as a stockbroker but later realised the potential of long-term investing
He made his first market investment at the age of 32
Many of his portfolio stocks turned into money-minting machines
In 2001, he made a hostile bid for cigarette maker VST Industries
The shares were trading at around Rs 85-90 back then
Cut to 2022, the stock is hovering around Rs 3,300
RK Damani is also the founder of the retail chain DMart...
...which started off with the first store in Mumbai way back in 2000. Today, it has more than 290 stores
He captured his target audience by simply offering them better deals. DMart offers its customers discounts of 6-7% year-round
DMart had a bumper listing on Dalal Street
Since its listing in March 2017, the stock has delivered over 600% return
The media-shy Damani has never given an interview. Unlike other stockbrokers who flaunt their wealth or give stock tips on television, he stays away from the limelight
Story by Tanya Aneja Designed by Mohsin Shaikh Produced by Prashanti Moktan
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