In conversation with visionary entrepreneur Lasakan Cholayil, a patron of sustainability and environmental consciousness,  who combined a passion for art, design, and Ayurvedic wisdom.

1. Having studied liberal arts, what led you to foray into the field of your family business and legacy. Have you always been drawn to the family business as a child? Or is it the continuation of the Medimix legacy that brought you in the field?

 I believe that I was somewhat of a wanderer while I was a student, and I still am in many respects. I didn’t necessarily want to be restricted to just one topic of study, which is why I even chose to pursue a liberal arts degree. Due to my wide range of interests, I was still unsure of my particular career goals at that time. There is business. Because I have a family business, on one end, knowing how a business operates would make sense. However, I always considered myself to be more of a creative person. And I didn’t see myself working in finance or in a boardroom, or anything like that. It didn’t speak to me, Therefore, I believe that my liberal arts degree introduced me to a variety of fields and other things. And even after graduating from college, there was always the possibility that I may fulfil my family’s legacy, which I know I can rely on. I wasn’t necessarily eager to get started right away. It kind of happened very organically after I came back. I was keeping an eye out and despite my best efforts, I never really found my footing while searching for jobs. I thought, ‘Alright, let’s try this family business thing out.’ Afterward, once I had fully immersed myself in the family business, I thought, ‘What if we kind of take what we have, but try to create something new?’ rather than becoming merely another gear in the wheel. And I suppose that was the beginning of Sadhev and my entire journey.

1. How did Sadhev come into being? What has been your vision for Sadhev?

My inspiration really took shape during my undergraduate years in the US. I was fascinated by how Indian concepts were adapted and reimagined in America, often reshaped into a huge, multi-billion-dollar industry. It opened my eyes to the vast potential there and when I returned to India, I was struck by how much the skincare industry had evolved. Earlier, the market was quite different—people were more reserved about spending on experiences, luxury products, or skincare, often sticking to a few familiar FMCG brands. Seeing how the industry here had developed, I felt drawn to reinterpret what we have and make it truly modern and contemporary. For Sadhev, I wanted to take the 200 year old legacy that my family has built and continue it in a way that’s innovative, not just incremental. From a young age, I knew I wanted to forge my own path rather than simply follow along. I wanted to create my own impact, and out of this drive to do something unique, the idea of Sadhev began to take shape.

3. What is the next possible turn in your career? What is the next biggest addition to Sadhev? 

 We have something exciting in the works at Sadhev, though I can’t share details just yet. However, it’s set to launch before year-end, and we’re really looking forward to it. Right now, our focus in our space, especially in skincare is on expanding our reach; though we began as a D2C brand, the way forward is to embrace a ‘phygital’ approach. By the end of this year, we’re aiming to open more Sadhev stores to connect with our consumers in new ways.

4. You were born and bred in the arena of medicine and personal care. After years of experience in the industry / Being ayurvedic royalty, what has been your biggest lesson/ takeaway from it? 

Sadhev is a brand with an ancient essence but a contemporary approach—filling a gap in the market and addressing common concerns people have with Ayurveda. Traditional Ayurvedic products are often seen as cumbersome, slow, and time-consuming to be effective. We understand our consumers lead fast-paced lives today and need products that fit seamlessly into that lifestyle. With Sadhev, we aimed to create something easy to use, straightforward, and packed with Ayurvedic goodness without the complexity or strong scents so it perfectly suits modern day routines.

5. The narrative of AG is about exploring the past through the lens of the present. Does that resonate with your brand Sadhev? 

I really appreciate AG’s storytelling approach, respecting the heritage of traditional embroidery while transforming it from a classic art form into something truly contemporary and relatable for today’s generation. I mean, 15 years ago, I wouldn’t have thought of wearing an embroidered shirt, but now I’m wearing this beautifully hand-embroidered piece, and it’s incredible. It adds such depth and layers to the story we’re sharing. This is very similar to our mission at Sadhev. We’re working to bring age-old formulations that have stood the test of time into a modern context, reinterpreting ancestral wisdom to create products for today’s and tomorrow’s generations. Our goal is to stay rooted in tradition while seamlessly fitting into a modern lifestyle, one step at a time.

6. What are your interests outside of the business? 

 I’m a big fan of staying active and spending time outdoors. Climbing is something I find a lot of solace in, and I also enjoy playing golf. As cliché as it might sound, I love travelling, immersing myself in different cultures, and food is something I genuinely appreciate and enjoy. Basically, anything that gets me out of the four walls or away from the city, being in nature or exploring the wilderness is my idea of a great time.

7. A number of brands today are moving towards operating on a sustainable model. What are your thoughts on the progress of the same in the coming years, you being a conscious environmentalist yourself.

Sustainability is a fascinating and vital topic today. Some brands are genuinely committed to it, while others seem to merely greenwash. Sustainability has almost become a label brands need to survive in this industry, but to me, it goes much deeper. This planet is all we have, and if we don’t respect and give back to it, polluting it isn’t fair. At Sadhev, we’re always exploring innovative ways to honor and care for the environment. For instance, with every product purchased, we plant a tree in the buyer’s name, providing a certificate detailing the tree’s location. Additionally, we’re a plastic-positive brand. In skincare, it’s challenging to be entirely plastic-free, particularly because glass packaging can be risky in wet areas. To address this, we use glass containers for items suited to dry spaces, and we partner with The Disposal Company to recycle an equivalent amount of plastic to what we consume, ensuring we’re plastic-positive. Our journey toward sustainability is ongoing, and we’re constantly seeking new ways to be more eco-friendly and give back to nature.

8. Being a man of many interests, a lot inclining towards art, sculpture and its likes, we want to understand your style and your thoughts on fashion today.

I’ve been exploring different ways to express myself, and photography stands out as a top medium for me. It’s something I’ve practised for a long time and find real solace in. When it comes to fashion, comfort is my top priority. I believe it’s about finding pieces that feel good, look great, flatter your shape, and bring out the best in you. My personal style leans toward simplicity with a touch of sophistication. I’m also very particular about quality and avoid fast fashion entirely. In short, my style is clean yet refined/sophisticated, with an appreciation for well-made, timeless pieces that won’t feel outdated or irrelevant tomorrow.

9. How long does the R&D for any product take at Sadhev?

It typically takes around a year for a product to go from concept to being ready for sale. First, we develop an idea and then conduct thorough research on existing products to see how we can enhance them, bringing our unique touch and innovation. That’s the initial phase. Following this, each product undergoes about six months of stability testing to ensure it maintains consistent quality across different climatic conditions.

9. What words/phrases do you associate with AG and why? 

When I put on this shirt and browsed through the lookbook, the first thing that struck me was the incredible attention to detail. Even subtle touches like the label that says ‘obviously you have great taste’ really resonated with me. I love brands that add an extra layer of excitement to details that might otherwise go unnoticed, and AG has nailed that. I tried to bring the same idea into Sadhev, thinking, ‘why limit the illustrations to the outside of the packaging? Let’s use the inside too.’  I appreciate brands with depth. AG’s fabric is also fantastic, and the embroidery on this shirt is beautiful. It combines traditional craftsmanship with a modern aesthetic, making it a piece I can see becoming a timeless staple in my wardrobe.