Exclusive conversation with Nilesh Shah, Managing Director of Kotak Mahindra AMC

Nilesh Shah has been at the helm of Kotak Mahindra AMC since January 2015. A seasoned investor, he has previously held key positions at Franklin Templeton and ICICI Prudential AMCs, dedicating considerable time to mastering the art of investment management. Intrigued by his journey, we sat down with Shah to understand the reasons for his remarkable success, the essential traits of a successful investor and finding winners in new-age companies. What has been the most significant factor in your success? I lost my father at a very early age. We were not financially well off so, I wanted to start working, but my school teacher said they would pay the fees as long as I came first in my class. I'm thankful to people like my principal, who sponsored my education. Without them, I would have never reached where I am today. Moreover, I'm lucky to have some mentors whom I can approach even today without hesitation and lay my problems down. The market is so confusing and complicated that you need some sounding boards to share your confusion. So, I'm fortunate that people have been generous to me. Have you had a role model? Not just professionally but holistically. As a kid, I used to go to the library and read a lot. I remember reading a story about a person who goes to heaven. In the story, God showed him photographs of great peop