imported>Gotitbro at 03:52, 18 July 2021

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{{short description|American hotelier and actor|bot=PearBOT 5}}
{{Infobox person
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| name = Vikram Chatwal
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| father = [[Sant Singh Chatwal]]
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'''Vikram Chatwal''' (born November 1, 1971) is an [[United States|American]] hotelier and actor.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/05/fashion/weddings/priya-sachdev-and-vikram-chatwal.html|title=Priya Sachdev and Vikram Chatwal|first=Lola|last=Ogunnaike|date=March 5, 2006|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Rathe|first1=Adam|title=The Rebirth of Vikram Chatwal|url=http://dujour.com/article/vikram-chatwal-interview/47663|access-date=24 September 2014|publisher=[[DuJour Media|DuJour Magazine]]|date=2014}}</ref>

==Early life and education==
Chatwal was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and his family moved to [[Montreal, Quebec]], [[Canada]] in the 1970s and then to [[New York City]] in the 1980s, where his father invested in [[Types of restaurants#Fine dining|fine dining]] and [[hotels]].<ref name="Walters">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2006/jul/30/theobserver.observerbusiness6 |title=Turban Cowboy hits town |last=Walters|first=Joanna |date=30 July 2006|work=The Observer |access-date=18 February 2010|location=London}}</ref> Chatwal is of [[India|Indian]] [[Sikh]] heritage, growing up in a Sikh household and attended Sikh camp in upstate New York where he learned to recite prayers.<ref name=NYTimesHotelGoodPlace>{{cite news|last1=Holson|first1=Laura M.|title=Hotelier In A Good Place|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/21/fashion/the-hotelier-vikram-chatwal-finds-himself-in-a-good-place.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0|access-date=12 August 2014|work=The New York Times|date=20 July 2011}}</ref> Chatwal attended the [[United Nations International School]] in [[New York City]]<ref name="nym">{{cite news|url=http://nymag.com/relationships/features/16368/|title=Vikram's Big Fat Sikh Wedding|last=Schoeneman|first=Deborah |date=5 March 2006|work=New York Magazine|access-date=18 February 2010}}</ref><ref name="tnn">{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/sunday-toi/Clintons-India-connection/articleshow/144077.cms|title=Clinton's India connection|last=Kumar Sen|first=Ashish |date=24 August 2003|work=TNN|access-date=18 February 2010}}</ref> as well as the [[Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania|Wharton School of Business]] where he graduated in 1993.

==Career==
Chatwal's father, [[Sant Singh Chatwal|Sant Chatwal]], founded Hampshire Hotels and Resorts, as well as the Bombay Palace restaurant chain, but in 2014 had to resign as CEO due to an arrest by the FBI on illegal campaign contributions to which Sant Chatwal pleaded guilty in the US District Court, Eastern District of New York getting US$500,000 fine and 1,000 hours community service.<ref name=NYTimesHotelGoodPlace/> After graduating from Wharton in 1993, he decided to try a career path different than the family business and began working for [[Morgan Stanley]].<ref name=NightOutWithUnwinds>{{cite news|last1=Kuczynski|first1=Alex|title=A Night Out With Vikram Chatwal, The Turban Also Unwinds|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/03/14/style/a-night-out-with-vikram-chatwal-the-turban-also-unwinds.html|access-date=12 August 2014|work=The New York Times|date=14 March 1999}}</ref> He worked as an actor and movie producer, landing roles in films such as [[Zoolander]] and [[Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.]].<ref name=NYTimesHotelGoodPlace/> He was also a model, becoming the first Sikh model to appear in Vogue Magazine.<ref name=NightOutWithUnwinds/><ref name=ForbesFallFromGrace>{{cite news|last1=Bahree|first1=Megha|title=Sant Chatwal: An Indian American Hotelier's Fall From Grace|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/meghabahree/2014/04/22/sant-chatwal-an-indian-american-hoteliers-falls-from-grace/|access-date=12 August 2014|work=Forbes|date=22 April 2014}}</ref> Chatwal decided to join the family business in 1999 and opened the Time Hotel, a luxury hotel located in [[New York City]]. This was the first of six independent luxury hotels that he initially operated under his company Vikram Chatwal Hotels.<ref name=LeaderMageDream>{{cite news|title=One Man's Dream is Another's Hotel|url=http://www.leadersmag.com/issues/2013.1_Jan/Hospitality/LEADERS-Vikram-Chatwal-Vikram-Chatwal-Hotels.html|access-date=26 August 2014|publisher=Leaders Mag|date=2013}}</ref>

In 2006 Chatwal opened the Night Hotel, located in New York's [[Times Square]].<ref name=NYTimesHotelGoodPlace/> In his early career, Chatwal was often referred to as a "Playboy" for his eccentric lifestyle and social network he hung out with. During that time, he was named one of the world's most eligible bachelors by a [[BBC]] television program the magazine ''[[Radar (magazine)|Radar]]''.<ref name=NightOutWithUnwinds/> Chatwal's business was affected by the real-estate crisis of the 1990s<ref name=WSJExpansion>{{cite news|last1=Hudson|first1=Kris|title=Survivor Stands on Verge of a Grand New Expansion|url=https://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052748703418004575456023690808554|access-date=26 August 2014|publisher=The Wall Street Journal|date=30 August 2010}}</ref> and in August 2010, it was reported Chatwal's flagship property the Dream Hotel in [[Manhattan]] was scheduled to enter [[foreclosure]] proceedings within 90 days if he did not make payment on a $99 million [[mortgage]].<ref name="mrg">{{cite news|url=http://therealdeal.com/newyork/articles/nyc-delinquency-rate-continues-upward-as-distressed-properties-list-grows-according-to-trepp-data|title=NYC delinquency rate continues upward as distressed properties list grows|date=6 August 2010|work=The Real Deal Online|access-date=6 August 2010}}</ref> Despite the economy, Chatwal expanded his hotel-management operations by opening additional hotels in New York City, [[Miami, Florida|Miami]] and overseas.<ref name=WSJExpansion/> The initial expansion came in 2010 with the opening of the Chatwal Hotel, a $100 million project in the New York Theater District.<ref name=WSJExpansion/> Through his expansions, Vikram has helped grow the Chatwal brand to include additional properties in Manhattan, Miami, Bangkok and Cochin, India.<ref name=LeaderMageDream/><ref>{{cite news|last1=Hruska|first1=Rachelle|title=The Grand Openingof Vikram Chatwal's Dream Cochin Hotel|url=http://guestofaguest.com/new-york/travel/the-grand-opening-of-vikram-chatwals-dream-cochin-hotel|access-date=26 August 2014|publisher=Guest of a Guest|date=6 April 2009}}</ref>

In 2015, Chatwal's Dream New York hotel completed a $20 million renovation. Updates included a playscape in the ground floor lobby as well as updates to guest rooms and suites.<ref name=DreamNameCnag>{{cite news|last1=Chao|first1=Vivian|title=Dream Midtown Completes a $20 million Renovation & Officially Changes Name from Dream New York|url=http://www.hotel-online.com/press_releases/release/dream-midtown-completes-20-million-renovation-officially-changes-name-from|access-date=26 January 2015|publisher=Hotel Online|date=22 January 2015}}</ref> As part of the renovation, the hotel name was changed from Dream New York to Dream Midtown.<ref name=DreamNameCnag/>

During his career, Chatwal was awarded the Entrepreneur of the Year Award at the first South Asia Media Awards in [[New York City]] in June 2005.<ref name="mw">{{cite news|title= Could Vikram Chatwal become the world's first Sikh billionaire? |date=8 August 2006|work=Money Week}}</ref> He was also featured on the June 19, 2006 cover of ''[[Forbes|Forbes Asia]]''.<ref name="forbes">{{cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/global/2006/0619/078.html |title=Upgrading |last=Bahree|first=Megha |date=19 June 2006|work=Forbes Asia|access-date=18 February 2010}}</ref> He is also attributed as revitalizing the hotel industry in Manhattan, opening the Time Hotel during a time when few other hotel groups were investing in the area.<ref>{{cite news|title=Manhattan's Time Hotel Rings in 15th Anniversary with Renovations|url=http://www.hautehotel.com/manhattans-time-hotel-rings-15th-anniversary-renovations/|access-date=28 August 2014|publisher=Haute Hotel|date=23 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Koumelis|first1=Theodore|title=Hotel Pioneer Vikram Chatwal's Time Hotel celebrates its fifteen-year anniversary with a new look|url=http://www.traveldailynews.com/news/article/60473/hotel-pioneer-vikram-chatwal-s-time|access-date=28 August 2014|publisher=Travel Daily News|date=15 May 2014}}</ref>

===Filmography===
* ''[[Sold (2014 film)|Sold]]'' (2014)
* ''[[Spring Breakers]]'' (2012), Executive Producer
* ''[[Days of Grace (film)|Days of Grace]]'' (2011)
* ''[[Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.]]'' (2007)<ref name="Nagaland">{{cite news|url=http://www.nagalandpost.com/ShowInfotainment.aspx?infoID=SU5GMTAwMzY2-eMpiGTRUa%2Fw%3D|title=Vikram Chatwal spotted in rehab|date=31 December 2009 |work=Nagaland Post |access-date=18 February 2010}}</ref>
* ''Karma, Confessions and Holi'' (2006)<ref name="Nagaland"/>
* ''[[Hope and a Little Sugar]]'' (2006)<ref name="Nagaland"/>
* ''[[Ek Ajnabee]]'' (2005)<ref name="Nagaland"/>
* ''One Dollar Curry'' (2004)<ref name="tnn"/>
* ''[[Zoolander]]'' (2001)<ref name="Observer">{{cite news|url=http://www.observer.com/2009/daily-transom/fashionably-late-hotelier-vikram-chatwal-now-10-percent-less-party-animal |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090417045346/http://www.observer.com/2009/daily-transom/fashionably-late-hotelier-vikram-chatwal-now-10-percent-less-party-animal |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 April 2009 |title=Fashionably Late Hotelier Vikram Chatwal Now 10 Percent Less Party Animal |last=Pasternack |first=Alex |date=14 April 2009|pages=Observer|access-date=18 February 2010}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Chatwal was married to Indian model [[Priya Sachdev]] on 18 February 2006. The wedding was spread across ten days in three Indian cities. It was attended by more than 600 people from 26 countries and included notable guests such as steel magnate [[Lakshmi Mittal]],<ref name="smh">{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2006/02/20/1140284005274.html?from=rss|title=Jet set feted at Turban Cowboy's wedding |last=Ramesh |first=Randeep |date=21 February 2006|access-date=18 February 2010|work=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref> model [[Naomi Campbell]],<ref name="smh"/> [[Patricia Velásquez]],<ref name="nym"/> rapper [[P Diddy]],<ref name="smh"/> [[Prince Nikolaos of Greece and Denmark|Prince Nikolaos of Greece]],<ref name="nym"/> [[Bill Clinton]],<ref name="smh"/> and several Indian celebrities. Chatwal and Sachdev were [[Legal separation|legally separated]] 2011.<ref name="indiatimes1">{{cite news| url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-04/news-interviews/30112524_1_hotel-chain-vikram-chatwal-addiction | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214203030/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-04/news-interviews/30112524_1_hotel-chain-vikram-chatwal-addiction | url-status=dead | archive-date=14 December 2013 | work=[[The Times of India]] | title=Rehab healed me: Vikram Chatwal | date=4 September 2011}}</ref><ref name="cool">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/01/world/asia/01iht-wedding.html?_r=1|title=Cool begins to catch up to India|last=Giridharadas |first=Anand |date=1 March 2006|access-date=18 February 2010|work=The New York Times}}</ref>

Chatwal was engaged to Spanish model [[Esther Cañadas]] in 2013. They broke up approximately one month later,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://pagesix.com/2013/09/29/splitsville-for-hotelier-and-supermodel/|title=Splitsville for hotelier and supermodel|date=September 30, 2013}}</ref> after which it was initially reported that Chatwal filed a lawsuit against Cañadas to recover the $300,000 engagement ring that he gave her<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://pagesix.com/2014/03/21/hotel-tycoon-sues-model-to-get-300000-ring-back/|title=Hotel tycoon claims model bolted with $300,000 engagement ring|first=Jamie|last=Schram|date=March 22, 2014}}</ref> but the matter was [[Settlement (litigation)|settled out of court]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Garvey|first1=Marianne|last2=Niemietz|first2=Brian|last3=Cartwright|first3=Lachlan|title=Former lovebirds Esther Canadas and Vikram Chatwal settle spat over separation and $300K ring|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/confidential/ex-lovers-chatwal-canadas-carat-patch-spat-article-1.1768284|access-date=27 August 2014|publisher=The New York Daily News|date=25 April 2014}}</ref>

In April 2013, Chatwal was arrested at [[Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport]] in Florida while trying to board an aircraft with cocaine, marijuana and prescription pills.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pagesix.com/2016/12/04/the-downfall-of-lindsay-lohans-nightlife-mogul-ex-boyfriend/|title=How drugs and debauchery brought down this hotel heir|first=Dana|last=Schuster|date=December 4, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://people.com/crime/vikram-chatwal-arrested-for-drug-possession-and-trafficking/|title=Vikram Chatwal Arrested for Drug Possession and Trafficking|website=PEOPLE.com}}</ref> After posting $13,000 bail, he flew back to New York City to attend a drug treatment program, which helped in dropping the charges by the 17th Circuit Court in [[Broward County]] the following year<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://nypost.com/2014/05/29/hotel-founder-chatwal-beats-drug-trafficking-case-after-a-year-of-rehab/|title=Hotel founder Chatwal beats drug-trafficking case after a year of rehab|first=Jamie|last=Schram|date=May 29, 2014|work=New York Post}}</ref>

In 2016, he was arrested again, this time by the New York City police for setting fire to 2 dogs with an aerosol can and lighter.
Chatwal was booked on one felony count of criminal mischief—and 3 misdemeanors. He was booked for torturing an animal, reckless endangerment and arson. Vikram Chatwal got 5 days community service.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/manhattan/nyc-dog-walker-hits-hotelier-ptsd-suit-lighting-pups-article-1.2855872|title=NYC dog walker slaps hotelier Vikram Chatwal with PTSD lawsuit after he set fire to canines|first=Barbara|last=Ross|work=New York Daily News}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chatwal, Vikram}}
[[Category:1971 births]]
[[Category:American people of Indian descent]]
[[Category:American businesspeople of Indian descent]]
[[Category:American Sikhs]]
[[Category:American hoteliers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American people of Punjabi descent]]
[[Category:Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania alumni]]
[[Category:People from Addis Ababa]]
[[Category:United Nations International School alumni]]

Vikram Chatwal - Revision history

imported>Gotitbro at 03:52, 18 July 2021