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{{Short description|Indian industrialist, philanthropist and equestrian}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2025}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Shikhar Pahariya
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1997|04|03|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Mumbai]], [[Maharashtra]], India
| occupation = {{hlist|Industrialist|Philanthropist|Polo Player}}
| father = Sanjay Pahariya
| mother = Smruti Shinde
| relatives = [[Sushilkumar Shinde]]
(maternal grandfather) <br> [[Veer Pahariya]] (brother) <br> [[Praniti Shinde]] (maternal aunt)
| alma_mater = [[Regent's University London]]
| organisation = {{hlist|Basilius International|Veera Foundation|Indiawyn Gaming|}}
}}

'''Shikhar Pahariya''' (born 3 April 1997) is an Indian industrialist and polo player. He is associated with ventures in gaming and infrastructure. <ref>{{Cite web |last=India Today Web Desk |title=Who is Shikhar Pahariya? All you need to know about Janhvi Kapoor's rumoured boyfriend |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/who-is-shikhar-pahariya-all-you-need-to-know-about-janhvi-kapoors-rumoured-boyfriend-2343330-2023-03-06 |website=India Today |date=6 March 2023 |access-date=8 September 2025}}</ref> He is the grandson of [[Sushilkumar Shinde]], former [[Minister of Home Affairs (India)|Union Home Minister of India]], [[Chief Minister of Maharashtra]], and senior leader of the [[Indian National Congress]].
<ref>{{Cite web |last=Choudhary |first=Prashant |title=Sushilkumar Shinde’s five decades in politics: A revealing memoir of a Dalit’s life in politics |url=https://scroll.in/article/1075902/sushilkumar-shindes-five-decades-in-politics-a-revealing-memoir-of-a-dalits-life-in-politics |website=Scroll.in |date=19 March 2023 |access-date=8 September 2025}}</ref>
<ref>{{Cite web |title=Maharashtra former CM Shushilkumar Shinde’s grandson Shikhar Pahariya’s call for Marathi language respect |url=https://english.lokshahi.com/entertainment/maharashtra-former-cm-shushilkumar-shinde-grandson-shikhar-pahariyas-call-for-marathi-language-respect |website=Lokshahi English |date=9 July 2025 |access-date=8 September 2025}}</ref>
He has represented India in international [[polo]] tournaments, including matches in the [[United Kingdom]] where India secured notable wins.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Polo team creates history in London |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/others/polo-team-creates-history-in-london/articleshow/20762045.cms |work=The Times of India |date=25 June 2013 |access-date=8 September 2025}}</ref>

== Early life and education ==
Pahariya was born in [[Mumbai]] in 1997 to Smruti Shinde, a film producer, and Sanjay Pahariya, a businessman. His elder brother, [[Veer Pahariya]], is a Bollywood actor.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Who are the Pahariya brothers? Meet sibling duo Veer and Shikhar |url=https://www.augustman.com/in/entertainment/culture/who-are-pahariya-brothers-sibling-duo-veer-and-shikhar/ |website=Augustman India |date=21 March 2023 |access-date=8 September 2025}}</ref> He attended [[Bombay Scottish School]] and [[Dhirubhai Ambani International School]] in Mumbai before pursuing a degree in Global Financial Management at [[Regent's University London]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Meet Shikhar Pahariya: Janhvi Kapoor's boyfriend, investment analyst who is worth ₹84 crore, represented India |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/bollywood/photo-gallery-meet-shikhar-pahariya-janhvi-kapoor-boyfriend-investment-analyst-who-is-worth-rs-84-core-represented-india-3098760/who-is-shikhar-pahariya-3098761 |work=DNA India |date=7 April 2024 |access-date=8 September 2025}}</ref>

Pahariya belongs to a [[Khatik]] ([[Dalit]]) community.<ref>{{Cite news |title=जाह्नवी कपूर के बॉयफ्रेंड शिखर पहाड़िया ने 'दलित' कहकर मजाक उड़ाते वालें को दिया का जवाब |url=https://www.livehindustan.com/entertainment/bollywood/tu-dalit-hai-janhvi-kapoor-boyfriend-shikhar-pahariya-replies-troll-who-commented-on-his-caste-201742272676419.html |work=DNA India |date=18 March 2025 |access-date=26 September 2025}}</ref>

== Career ==
Pahariya's entrepreneurial journey began at the age of 13 when he, alongside his brother [[Veer Pahariya]], established a consultancy firm to assist first-time pet owners.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Shikhar Pahariya net worth: Check Janhvi Kapoor’s rumoured boyfriend’s wealth, business ventures and more |url=https://www.livemint.com/entertainment/shikhar-pahariya-net-worth-check-janhvi-kapoors-rumoured-boyfriends-wealth-business-ventures-and-more-11742280074949.html |work=Mint |date=22 May 2024 |access-date=8 September 2025}}</ref>. After completing his degree, Pahariya worked as an investment analyst in London. In 2018, he co-founded Indiawyn Gaming. The company launched ''Jeetoh'', which was described by [[Mint (newspaper)|Mint]] as one of the country’s early live-[[mobile game|interaction gaming platforms]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Shikhar Pahariya net worth: Check Janhvi Kapoor’s rumoured boyfriend’s wealth, business ventures and more |url=https://www.livemint.com/entertainment/shikhar-pahariya-net-worth-check-janhvi-kapoors-rumoured-boyfriends-wealth-business-ventures-and-more-11742280074949.html |work=Mint |date=22 May 2024 |access-date=8 September 2025}}</ref>.

Pahariya later established Basilius International, an infrastructure development company with operations spanning energy and aviation. The firm has undertaken projects in [[Maharashtra]], [[Gujarat]], [[Goa]], [[Uttar Pradesh]] and internationally in the [[United Arab Emirates]], [[Oman]] and the [[United Kingdom]]. Its portfolio includes large-scale community infrastructure and commercial projects.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Building for the future: Shikhar Pahariya’s vision of sustainable growth |url=https://bigbuzznews.in/2024/09/21/building-for-the-future-shikhar-pahariyas-vision-of-sustainable-growth/ |website=BigBuzz News |date=21 September 2024 |access-date=8 September 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Building for the future: Shikhar Pahariya’s vision of sustainable growth |url=https://interviewtimes.net/building-for-the-future-shikhar-pahariyas-vision-of-sustainable-growth/ |website=Interview Times |date=23 September 2024 |access-date=8 September 2025}}</ref>

== Social work and philanthropy ==
Pahariya is actively engaged in philanthropic activities, with a focus on women’s empowerment and youth development. He has collaborated with NGOs on environmental programs and sports-related initiatives.<ref>{{Cite web |last=India Today Web Desk |title=Who is Shikhar Pahariya? All you need to know about Janhvi Kapoor's rumoured boyfriend |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/who-is-shikhar-pahariya-all-you-need-to-know-about-janhvi-kapoors-rumoured-boyfriend-2343330-2023-03-06 |website=India Today |date=6 March 2023 |access-date=8 September 2025}}</ref>. He is the founder of the Veera Foundation, a [[Nonprofit organization|non-profit initiative]] that has been noted by ''Feminism in India'' for its work with men and boys on gender issues.<ref>{{Cite web |title=FII Year In Review: 2025 |url=https://feminisminindia.com/2025/12/24/fii-year-in-review-2025/ |website=Feminism in India |date=24 December 2025 |access-date=27 January 2026}}</ref> According to the organisation’s website, the foundation focuses on workshops and dialogue programmes around positive [[masculinity]] and male [[allyship]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Veera |website=Veera Foundation |url=https://www.veerafoundation.org/ |access-date=27 January 2026 |publisher=Veera Foundation}}</ref>

In [[Solapur district|Solapur]], Maharashtra, during the [[COVID-19 pandemic in India|COVID-19 pandemic]], Pahariya arranged ration kits for several thousand families over a six-month period.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Building for the future: Shikhar Pahariya’s vision of sustainable growth |url=https://interviewtimes.net/building-for-the-future-shikhar-pahariyas-vision-of-sustainable-growth/ |website=Interview Times |date=23 September 2024 |access-date=8 September 2025}}</ref> He has organized water tankers during severe droughts in the region, and in 2024 convened a job fair that drew over 3,000 participants, connecting local youth to employment opportunities.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Jobs: Solapur Job Fair 2025 by Shikhar Foundation |url=https://samacharwani.com/2025/06/02/jobs-solapur-job-fair-2025-shikhar-foundation/ |work=Samachar Wani |date=2 June 2025 |access-date=8 September 2025}}</ref> He also donates amenities to educational facilities and books to village library initiatives across [[Pune division|Western Maharashtra.]]<ref>{{Cite news |title=Shikhar Pahariya donates 1000 books to Kolhapur IPS officer Birdev Dhone’s village library initiative |url=https://www.lokmattimes.com/entertainment/shikhar-pahariya-donates-1000-books-to-kolhapur-ips-officer-birdev-dhones-village-library-initiative-a475/ |work=Lokmat Times |date=19 July 2024 |access-date=8 September 2025}}</ref>

== Polo ==
A trained polo player, Pahariya has competed in [[polo]] and show-jumping events in India and abroad. He has represented India at the [[Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club]] in London, where the team recorded victories against international sides. In 2013, he was part of the [[Polo in India|Jaipur Polo Team]] that won the 7th [[Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club|Asia Polo Cup]] in Windsor, defeating the English team 5–4 to secure the trophy for the first time.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Polo team creates history in London |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/others/polo-team-creates-history-in-london/articleshow/20762045.cms |work=The Times of India |date=25 June 2013 |access-date=8 September 2025}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
Pahariya has received media coverage for his family background and for his association with actress [[Janhvi Kapoor]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Janhvi Kapoor poses with Shikhar Pahariya’s family at Homebound premiere, honours Sridevi |url=https://www.news18.com/movies/bollywood/janhvi-kapoor-poses-with-shikhar-pahariyas-family-at-homebound-premiere-honours-sridevi-9590140.html |website=News18 |publisher=Network18 Media & Investments Ltd. |accessdate=27 January 2026 |date=23 September 2025 |language=en }}</ref> He lives in Mumbai.

== Controversies ==
In March 2025, Pahariya drew attention for publicly responding to a [[caste]]-based remark directed at him on social media, criticising the troll’s "small, backward mindset" and emphasising India's strength in diversity and inclusivity.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Janhvi Kapoor’s boyfriend Shikhar Pahariya lashes out at casteist troll: ‘Tu toh Dalit hai’ remark |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/janhvi-kapoor-boyfriend-shikhar-pahariya-castesist-troll-tu-toh-dalit-hai-remark-2694983-2025-03-18 |work=India Today |date=18 March 2025 |access-date=8 September 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Janhvi Kapoor’s boyfriend Shikhar Pahariya responds to casteist remark: ‘Pathetic, your thinking is untouchable’ |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/janhvi-kapoors-boyfriend-shikhar-pahariya-lashes-out-at-troll-for-casteist-remark-calls-it-pathetic-your-thinking-is-untouchable-9892335/ |work=The Indian Express |date=19 March 2025 |access-date=8 September 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Shikhar Pahariya lashes out at casteist remark |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/shikhar-pahariya-janhvi-kapoor-boyfriend-lashes-out-at-casteist-remark/article69343838.ece |work=The Hindu |date=20 March 2025 |access-date=8 September 2025}}</ref>

In May 2025, Pahariya faced backlash on social media after posting in support of the [[Indian Armed Forces]] following [[Operation Sindoor]]. Some users criticised him as “heartless” for not addressing civilian concerns, while others trolled him for his remarks.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Janhvi Kapoor’s partner Shikhar Pahariya slams trolls calling him ‘heartless’ over Operation Sindoor post |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/janhvi-kapoors-boyfriend-shikhar-pahariya-slams-trolls-calling-him-heartless-over-operation-sindoor-post |work=Free Press Journal |date=26 May 2025 |access-date=8 September 2025}}</ref> Pahariya defended his stance by calling the [[Pahalgam attack]] a "hate-fueled massacre" and stressing the need for respect for armed forces and national solidarity.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Janhvi Kapoor backs Shikhar Pahariya’s strong reply to trolls after Operation Sindoor post |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/bollywood/janhvi-kapoor-backs-shikhar-pahariyas-strong-reply-to-trolls-who-mocked-him-for-praising-indian-army-after-operationsindoor-article-151591100 |work=Times Now |date=27 May 2025 |access-date=8 September 2025}}</ref>

In July 2025, Pahariya commented on Maharashtra’s [[Marathi language|Marathi]]–[[Hindi]] language row surrounding the [[Three-language formula|Three Language Policy]], where he argued that cultural pride should "uplift, not divide," and that fear alone cannot sustain a language. He supported the Marathi asmita, but stressed that it should not come at the expense of others.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Maharashtra former CM Shushilkumar Shinde’s grandson Shikhar Pahariya calls for respect for Marathi language |url=https://english.lokshahi.com/entertainment/maharashtra-former-cm-shushilkumar-shinde-grandson-shikhar-pahariyas-call-for-marathi-language-respect |work=Lokshahi |date=7 July 2025 |access-date=8 September 2025}}</ref> The remarks sparked widespread media coverage and drew strong criticism from local Marathi outfits.
<ref>{{Cite news |title=Shikhar Pahariya reacts to Marathi-Hindi row: ‘Fear can’t keep language alive’ |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/janhvi-kapoor-partner-shikhar-pahariya-on-marathi-hindi-row-fear-cant-keep-language-alive-2752986-2025-07-09 |work=India Today |date=9 July 2025 |access-date=8 September 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Janhvi Kapoor’s boyfriend Shikhar Pahariya on Marathi-Hindi row: Can’t keep Marathi alive through fear |url=https://www.news18.com/movies/bollywood/janhvi-kapoor-bf-shikhar-pahariya-on-language-row-cant-keep-marathi-alive-through-fear-ws-ln-9429144.html |work=News18 |date=9 July 2025 |access-date=8 September 2025}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pahariya, Shikhar}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1997 births]]
[[Category:Solapur]]
[[Category:Polo in India]]

Shikhar Pahariya - Revision history

Krishna57edits: Info