Dr. Annurag Batra Leads the Way at Lead Fit Summit 2025: When India’s Fittest Minds Redefined Leadership at the Taj Santacruz

Vishal waghela
5 days ago
3 min read

The Lead Fit Summit 2025, hosted at the Taj Santacruz, Mumbai, was not just another corporate conference—it was a wellness revolution for India’s top business and creative leaders. Curated by Dr. Annurag Batra, Chairman & Editor-in-Chief of BW Businessworld and Founder of Exchange4Media, the event seamlessly blended insights, inspiration, and introspection to prove one powerful truth — the future belongs to those who lead fit, think fit, and live fit. From CEOs and entrepreneurs to actors and wellness icons, the conversations at the summit revealed how fitness is shaping not only bodies but also boardrooms.

Setting the Tone: Dr. Annurag Batra’s Vision for “Leading Fit”

The day began with Dr. Annurag Batra’s opening address, “Leading the Fit Way Forward,” where he emphasized that leadership today isn’t just about strategy or success—it’s about stamina, consistency, and mental clarity. His message struck a chord: “A fit leader builds a fit organization.” Following him, Mr. Mayur Dogra from ITC Foods shared the inspiration behind Fittest 40 Above 40, celebrating those who continue to raise the bar in health and leadership beyond midlife.

Candid Conversations & Unfiltered Insights

The first fireside chat of the day saw filmmaker Hansal Mehta in a heartfelt conversation with Dr. Batra, tackling the question: “Is Health Becoming a Trend or a Lifestyle?” It was raw, real, and refreshingly relatable. Later, actor Sudhanshu Pandey joined Dr. Batra for a deep dive into “Discipline, Devotion & Staying Grounded in the Spotlight.” His grounded take on wellness in showbiz earned nods across the room. And though Milind Soman couldn’t attend in person, his virtual appearance via video call became one of the day’s most memorable moments. Speaking from his fitness retreat, he reflected on redefining endurance and aging gracefully — a reminder that fitness is truly a lifelong philosophy.

Panels That Moved Minds (and Muscles)

Each panel at the Lead Fit Summit 2025 brought together thought leaders who live by example:

Fit to Lead: From Microsoft’s Gandhali Samant to JioHotstar’s Anil Lale, experts shared how fitness enhances clarity, patience, and executive decision-making.
Small Steps, Big Gains: CEOs like Mainak Dhar (McCain Foods) and Arjun Nohwar (Warner Bros. Discovery) revealed how even 30-minute routines help maintain focus in high-pressure roles.
Strong, Centred & Unstoppable: A powerhouse women’s panel featuring Alankrita Sahai, Anam Mirza, and Nyrraa Banerji, who redefined fitness as confidence and self-ownership.
Decluttering Life: Leaders from Kotak Bank, HDFC Securities, and Blue Star explored minimalist living and mental wellness as the new success metrics.

Mindful Movement: The Power of AUM

Between the sessions, yoga educator Saloni Rajawat led the audience through calming breathing exercises and rhythmic yogic movements. Her “Power of AUM” session was a soulful pause in a day filled with ideas, reminding everyone that leadership energy needs grounding too.

Right Shift’s “Fittest 40 Above 40” Awards: A Celebration of Resilience

As evening approached, the summit transitioned into the inaugural Right Shift Fittest 40 Above 40 Awards, inaugurated by Dr. Annurag Batra and graced by Shri Ameet Satam, Mumbai BJP President and MLA. Mr. Vishwas Aggarwal from ITC Foods shared an inspiring address on “Why Leadership Begins with Health.” The awards honoured 40 exceptional professionals who’ve made fitness not a phase but a permanent part of their leadership DNA.

The Closing Reflection

The day concluded with H.G. Gauranga Das’s powerful keynote, “Unshakable Within: Building Focus, Balance & Emotional Strength.” His timeless insight summed up the spirit of the summit — “When your inner world is strong, your outer world follows.”

From Milind Soman’s remote message to Dr Annurag Batra’s relentless passion, the Lead Fit Summit 2025 was a reminder that India’s most successful leaders are also its most self-aware.