Ashwin Dani: The Visionary Behind Asian Paints’ Global Success

By Archita LotaniFriday October 3, 2025

Known as the Tycoon of Paints, Ashwin Dani is credited with transforming Asian Paints from a family-led company into a global powerhouse. Born into a family that is connected to the world of paint, Dani combined his father’s entrepreneurial foundation with his scientific expertise. From pioneering computerised colour matching to building partnerships that pushed Asian Paints onto the world stage, Dani’s influence goes beyond Asian Paints. What set him apart is the way he has introduced technology with culture and by creating products that felt both modern and rooted in Indian life. Read this article to explore how Ashwin Dani led Asian Paints to Global Success.

Ashwin Dani’s Biography

Source: Indian Bill Gates

Name	Ashwin Suryakant Dani
Died	28 September 2023 [Age 79]
Education	Master’s from the University of Akron
Known as	Tycoon of Paints
Net Worth	$7 billion [2023]

Early Life

Dani was born into a Jain family in Mumbai around the early 1940s. His father, Suryakant, founded Asian Paints in 1942 with three other partners. Hence, he grew up in a family where paint was more than just colours. The paint was considered the foundation of a business that would eventually dominate the market.

Education

Dani completed his Bachelor of Science from the University of Mumbai and another Bachelor of Science and Technology in Pigment, Paints, and Varnish from UDCT, Mumbai. He then pursued his Master’s in PolymScience from the University of Akron, Ohio. He even took a diploma course in colour science from Rensselaer Polytechnic, New York.

Ashwin Dani’s Lasting Journey at Asian Paints.

Source: Forbes

In 1967, Dani started working as a development chemist with Inmont Corp [now BASF] in Detroit. This early experience with global practices gave him professional exposure. In 1968, he joined Asian Paints as a senior executive and moved successively to other senior positions, such as Director of R&D, Director, and Vice Chairman.

Dani perceived paint as the combination of science and aesthetics. His technical expertise helped Asian Paints to stay far ahead of its competitors by setting industrial benchmarks.

At Asian Paints, Dani introduced many new products in India. He is credited with pioneering the idea of computerised colour matching in the Indian industry. Today, this concept is widely used across industries of paints, plastics, printing inks, and textiles. They were the first company in Asia to implement this concept in 1975.

Over time, such technological advancements built trust among customers and helped them to capture both mass and premium markets. Dani played a significant role in setting up PPG Asian Paints, a 50:50 joint venture between Asian Paints Ltd and PPG Industries Inc., USA, and held the position of Founder Director on the board from its inception in 1997.

Apart from joint ventures, Dani’s leadership led Asian Paints to become a multinational brand with strong operations across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. By the 2000s, Asian Paints ranked among the World’s Top 10 Paint Companies. Dani’s philosophy of understanding local needs and adapting products to its culture and climate, while not compromising on technology and quality, is credited with the success of Asian Paints.

Ashwin Dani’s Associations & Leadership Roles

Dani was recognised as the Founder and Promoter of Loctite India Private Limited, which is now known as Henkel Adhesive Technologies India Pvt Ltd.
He was also one of the two founding members of the Colour Group of India, an organisation dedicated to advancing computerised colour matching and the measurement of colour through instruments and computers.
He was strongly associated with various government and trade bodies throughout his professional career. The connections include the President’s Advisory Council of the University of Akron and the Vice President of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry [FICCI].
He served on various boards, such as the President of the Indian Paint Association, President of the Board of Governors of the UDCT Alumni Association, and as a member of the Board of Management of the Institute of Chemical Technology.
He also served as an adviser to the Central Board of Trustees of the Employees Provident Fund.
From January 2004 to September 2018, he served on the Board & Audit Committee of Sun Pharmaceuticals.
He was also a member of the board of ACC Ltd, an Indian cement company, where he chaired the Nomination and Remuneration Committee and was a member of the Audit Committee.

The Lasting Legacy of Ashwin Dani

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Unfortunately, on 28 September 2023, Ashwin Dani passed away at the age of 79. Today, Dani’s two sons are actively involved in Asian Paints. His son Jalaj looks after international markets, and his son Malav joined the company as a non-executive director. The Indian Paint Association hailed him as a ‘Pioneer who coloured India’s growth story’. Today, his legacy is a true symbol of dedication, innovation, and vision, which continues to inspire the business community.

Apart from Business Interest

Dani was a follower and practitioner of Iyengar Yoga, a practice he embraced after he got a slipped disc in 1980. In 1998, he and his wife set up the Iyengar Yoga Centre on the first floor of their Mumbai residence. He was also a passionate Art Collector.

Philanthropic Contributions

Dani committed himself to education and community initiatives. He was the President of Kapadwanj Kelavani Mandal, an organisation ensuring access to quality education for thousands of students. He also served as President of its Alumni Association and contributed to its growth as one of India’s premier chemical technology institutes.

Awards & Recognition of Ashwin Dani

In 2002, Dani won the Cheminor Award for excellence in Supply Chain by the Indian Institute of Materials Management.
In 2003, he won the Achiever of the Year Award in the Chemical Industry by Chemtech Foundation.
In the same year, he also won the EY Entrepreneur of the Year in the Manufacturing Category.
In 2011, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Indian Paint Association.
In 2012, he won the Colour Society Lifetime Achievement Award.
In 2015, he was recognised as the Businessman of the Year by the Business India Magazine.
In 2017, he was recognised with the B. Krishnamurthy Award of Excellence from the Hyderabad Management Association and Centre for Organisational Development.

Ashwin Dani’s Leadership Style

Dani was not among the loud leaders. His style was more about determination, scientific precision, and forward-looking vision. He believed innovation had to be at the heart of Asian Paints, which is why he invested heavily in research and technology before anyone else.

Moreover, he was deeply people-oriented. Regardless of hierarchy, he was approachable and open to new ideas from his colleagues. He even created a culture where he encouraged younger professionals to experiment, valuing R&D as everyone’s responsibility. Hence, for Ashwin Dani, the leadership was about continuously reinventing it.

Influence of Ashwin Dani on the Industry

By introducing computerised colour matching, Ashwin not only transformed his own company but also revolutionised the entire paint industry. With the rapid growth of Asian Paints under his leadership, competitors were compelled to modernise, invest in technology, and expand their colour range. As President of the Indian Paint Association and Vice President of FICCI, he also raised standards across the industry. Therefore, his contributions bridged the gap between Indian manufacturers and global practices, positioning India among the countries setting benchmarks in the paint industry.

Conclusion

Ashwin Dani’s leadership style was quiet yet powerful. His innovations shaped the way India thought about paint, and his global outlook put Asian Paints in the league with multinational giants. Beyond business, his love of yoga, art, and education showed a man deeply connected to the growth and balance of societal and personal. Even after his passing in 2023, his influence continues to guide Indian entrepreneurs. Hence, the colours he brought to homes and cities are symbols of the creativity, confidence, and progress of his journey.