Who Exactly Is Shikhar Pahariya? Meet the Polo Player, Entrepreneur and Man Janhvi Kapoor Is Dating
For years, his name was a rumour. A "Shikhu" almost slipped out on a past Koffee episode. A family photo here, a premiere appearance there. And now, finally, Janhvi Kapoor has said it plainly on Koffee With Karan Season 9: yes, she is dating Shikhar Pahariya.
So who is he? Let's get into it.
The quick profile
Born: 3 April 1997, Mumbai
Parents: film producer Smruti Shinde and businessman Sanjay Pahariya
Grandfather: Sushilkumar Shinde, former Union Home Minister and former Chief Minister of Maharashtra
Aunt: politician Praniti Shinde
Brother: actor Veer Pahariya
Schooling: Bombay Scottish School and Dhirubhai Ambani International School
Degree: Global Financial Management from Regent's University London
So yes, he comes from a family where politics, films and business all sit at the same dinner table.
The businessman
Shikhar started early. At 13, he and Veer set up a little consultancy to help first-time pet owners. After graduating, he worked as an investment analyst in London.
Since then:
In 2018, he co-founded Indiawyn Gaming, which launched Jeetoh, an early live-interaction gaming platform.
He later founded Basilius International, an infrastructure company with interests in energy and aviation across India, the UAE, Oman and the UK.
The polo player
This is the side of him most people don't know. Shikhar is a trained polo player who has also competed in show-jumping. He has represented India at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club in London, and in 2013 he was part of the Jaipur Polo Team that won the Asia Polo Cup in Windsor, beating England 5-4. Polo. Show-jumping. London. It's all very Bridgerton, frankly.
The philanthropist
He also runs the Veera Foundation, a non-profit that works with men and boys on gender issues, with a focus on positive masculinity and allyship. During COVID-19, he organised ration kits for thousands of families in Solapur, his grandfather's political home turf, and has since arranged water tankers during droughts and hosted a large job fair in the region.
The voice online
Shikhar isn't shy on social media either. He has publicly hit back at casteist trolling, spoken out in support of the armed forces after the Pahalgam attack, and weighed in on the Marathi-Hindi language debate, arguing that cultural pride should uplift rather than divide. Not every post landed well with everyone, but he clearly doesn't hide.
The Janhvi story
The two have been linked for years, with a break in between. On Koffee, Karan noted that Janhvi dated others after their first split before the two found their way back.
But the story she told on the show is the one people will remember. When Sridevi died, Shikhar reportedly took about half a semester off his studies in London, flew to Mumbai and stayed nearby for a month, just in case she needed him. Janhvi said she only found out much later.
Asked about marriage, she said it's not happening for another two or three years.
My take
Bollywood loves an outsider love story. This isn't one. Shikhar is very much from a powerful family. But what makes him interesting is that he hasn't tried to become a celebrity off the back of it. Polo, business, a foundation and a girlfriend who's one of the biggest stars of her generation, and he still mostly lets her do the talking.
That might be the most attractive thing about him.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Shikhar Pahariya?
Shikhar Pahariya is a Mumbai-born entrepreneur and trained polo player. He is the grandson of former Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde and the brother of actor Veer Pahariya.
How old is Shikhar Pahariya?
He was born on 3 April 1997 in Mumbai.
Is Janhvi Kapoor dating Shikhar Pahariya?
Yes. Janhvi Kapoor confirmed the relationship on Koffee With Karan Season 9 in October 2026.
What does Shikhar Pahariya do?
He has co-founded a gaming venture, founded an infrastructure company working in energy and aviation, plays polo and runs the Veera Foundation, a non-profit.
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