“People Do Form Opinions Because Of My Surname,” Confesses Devyani Jaipuria

Devyani Jaipuria doesn’t walk into a room unnoticed, and it’s not just because of who she is, but because of what people think they already know about her—in our Stories From Bharat episode, Kamiya Jani, our Editor-in-Chief, walked into her stunning Delhi Farmhouse for an enlightening chat. 

“Confessions Of A CEO”: Addressing Privilege, Perception & Reality

Devyani Jaipuria is the daughter of the man often dubbed the ‘Cola King.’  That label tends to arrive before she does and shapes first impressions, fills in blanks, and, more often than not, builds a version of her that she hasn’t signed up for.

When we visited her Delhi farmhouse, it felt less like stepping into a symbol of legacy and more like entering a space that reflects who she is: measured, intentional, and far more grounded than the assumptions surrounding her. The second stop, DPS International in Gurgaon, added another layer to her personality. Here, she isn’t someone’s daughter; she’s present, involved, and clearly invested in the ecosystem she’s building.

Also Read: Devyani Jaipuria Is Deeply Spiritual, And This Is How She Starts Her Day 

More Than A Surname: Devyani Jaipuria’s Story In Her Own Words

During the “Confessions of a CEO” game, Kamiya Jani put the obvious question on the table: Do people judge you because of your surname?

Divyani didn’t dodge it; she agreed that people do make assumptions. The surname comes loaded; it signals wealth, access, and, unfairly, a personality profile people think they can predict. 

She called it out for what it is, limiting, because it skips the part where someone actually gets to know her.

And that’s where the disconnect lies.

There’s a familiar script people fall back on; if you come from privilege, you must be out of touch, maybe even a little entitled. It’s an easy narrative, but it also collapses the moment you look at what she’s actually doing.

Her work, particularly with underprivileged communities, doesn’t feel like an add-on to tick the “social impact” box. It’s consistent and thought-through. There’s a visible attempt to use access in a way that creates access for others.

She isn’t trying to distance herself from her background, nor is she leaning on it as a crutch. If anything, she’s navigating it on her own terms, aware of what it gives her, but equally aware of how it can box her in.

Also Read: Devyani Jaipuria Reveal Why Her Decided To Start Building Schools

Watch the full Stories from Bharat episode on the Curly Tales App or the Curly Tales YouTube Channel.

Cover Image Courtesy: Internal