S. Anil Kumar
@aktxt • 12,428 subscribers
CEO, Jodi365. Earlier: Angel investing, consulting, research, @ChicagoBooth, @UMich, @IITmadras Posts on: Startups, Learning, Life, Relationships, Fitness, Dogs
Videos
Ajith Kumar's motorsport documentary-drama, Gladiators – In Pursuit of Challenges, premieres its special 3-minute and 49-second trailer in select theaters across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on September 6, 2026, at 6:40 PM. About the Documentary: Title: Gladiators – In Pursuit of Challenges Genre: 90-minute motorsport documentary-drama Director: AL Vijay Music: GV Prakash Kumar Producer: Shalini Ajith Kumar under Golden Trophy Film Production The documentary chronicles Ajith Kumar's real-life racing journey, international circuits (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Malaysia), training, and collaboration with the Ajithkumar Racing team alongside Narain Karthikeyan.
S. Anil Kumar73,269 Aufrufe • vor 2 Monaten
A placeholder of a post, to thank you all for your kind condolences in the wake of my mother's passing. 🙏
S. Anil Kumar149,804 Aufrufe • vor 5 Monaten
![You may have caught the headlines: The celebrity couple, Suriya and Jyotika, renewed their vows recently at an intimate ceremony overseas. People have predictably asked me for my views, as a seasoned matchmaker to elite singles. Now, I have socialized with the family and think kindly of them. I could just as well have relayed a private message. I am also mindful of the headlines: "Ajith’s brother [not me, Anil] had THIS to say about Suriya and Jyotika's anniversary..." Besides, as the saying goes: Small minds discuss people, average minds discuss events, while great minds discuss ideas. So, why don't we elevate the national discourse with these five ideas?: 1. For starters, how about we simply choose to be happy for a long-married couple, wish them more good decades together, and let them get on with their lives? 2. Also, what I hope does not linger from all the media coverage is this notion of a dreamy, destination wedding, given the aspirational element to it. I have long been vocal about how young couples and their families still go overboard on the Big Fat Indian Wedding, with hundreds of guests. People even go into debt, when that money could pay off education loans, go into a home, or simply make later life more comfortable. But no, they want the Instagram-perfect day. Keep in mind, folks, that Suriya and Jyotika have worked long and hard and have the means to afford their celebration. I also appreciate that they kept it real, as a tribute to "20 years of love and war built on mutual respect, imperfections, compromises, and selfless love." I’d rather that couples celebrate their MARRIAGE this way, a decade or two in, than wastefully on Day One. 3. I say this to brides and grooms all the time: Don’t fixate on the WEDDING; focus on building the foundation for a strong, lasting marriage. Have you had the difficult conversations about money? What lifestyle you both actually want and can afford? Might there be better uses for dozens of lakhs, even crores, than one event where guests you barely know will still go home and complain that the bhindi fry wasn’t crispy?! 4. How you plan a wedding together can be telling: Do you work well as a team? Do you understand give-and-take? Do you fight fairly and, importantly, engage in relationship repair? Or, do you slip into unhealthy patterns that will not last? 5. Lastly, a grand wedding does not predict a strong marriage. Showing up for each other, consistently, day in and day out, on the little things, is what does. There, that’s my take. Cheers to all you good folks out there! For more unfiltered perspectives on life, love, and relationships, follow along.](https://image.24vids.com/tw-2100968503042064699/amplify_video_thumb/2100968202050424832/img/lStF3cYv74ULVZyh.jpg)
You may have caught the headlines: The celebrity couple, Suriya and Jyotika, renewed their vows recently at an intimate ceremony overseas. People have predictably asked me for my views, as a seasoned matchmaker to elite singles. Now, I have socialized with the family and think kindly of them. I could just as well have relayed a private message. I am also mindful of the headlines: "Ajith’s brother [not me, Anil] had THIS to say about Suriya and Jyotika's anniversary..." Besides, as the saying goes: Small minds discuss people, average minds discuss events, while great minds discuss ideas. So, why don't we elevate the national discourse with these five ideas?: 1. For starters, how about we simply choose to be happy for a long-married couple, wish them more good decades together, and let them get on with their lives? 2. Also, what I hope does not linger from all the media coverage is this notion of a dreamy, destination wedding, given the aspirational element to it. I have long been vocal about how young couples and their families still go overboard on the Big Fat Indian Wedding, with hundreds of guests. People even go into debt, when that money could pay off education loans, go into a home, or simply make later life more comfortable. But no, they want the Instagram-perfect day. Keep in mind, folks, that Suriya and Jyotika have worked long and hard and have the means to afford their celebration. I also appreciate that they kept it real, as a tribute to "20 years of love and war built on mutual respect, imperfections, compromises, and selfless love." I’d rather that couples celebrate their MARRIAGE this way, a decade or two in, than wastefully on Day One. 3. I say this to brides and grooms all the time: Don’t fixate on the WEDDING; focus on building the foundation for a strong, lasting marriage. Have you had the difficult conversations about money? What lifestyle you both actually want and can afford? Might there be better uses for dozens of lakhs, even crores, than one event where guests you barely know will still go home and complain that the bhindi fry wasn’t crispy?! 4. How you plan a wedding together can be telling: Do you work well as a team? Do you understand give-and-take? Do you fight fairly and, importantly, engage in relationship repair? Or, do you slip into unhealthy patterns that will not last? 5. Lastly, a grand wedding does not predict a strong marriage. Showing up for each other, consistently, day in and day out, on the little things, is what does. There, that’s my take. Cheers to all you good folks out there! For more unfiltered perspectives on life, love, and relationships, follow along.
S. Anil Kumar34,088 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat
4:30 AM. I've been up all night working… again. Not the smartest move with a full workday ahead, but there's something peaceful about an early morning walk with my dog and petting the neighborhood street dogs. This moment feels very different from so many sleepless nights over the first decade and a half of building Jodi365 — one existential crisis after another, the classic Founder's Struggle. People say about my success: "I persevered." That's true. But here's the truth: Startups don't just die when they run out of money. They die when the founder runs out of energy. Jodi365 should have died at least half a dozen times. There were nights I asked myself, "How deep are my emotional reserves?" I'm incredibly proud that I had the stomach to keep going. It came at a cost — including a failed marriage — but I am pleased that my team and I get to create real, meaningful impact in people's lives every single day. To every entrepreneur out there fighting the good fight: Pivot when you need to. Lean on wise people in your circle. Sleep well. Eat right. Work out regularly. You need to have a sound mind in a healthy body. But above all: Keep the faith! You've got this. Save this if you're in the struggle right now. Tag an entrepreneur who could use the encouragement. And for more unfiltered perspectives not only on life, love, and relationships, but also careers and entrepreneurship, follow along. ❤️
S. Anil Kumar103,060 Aufrufe • vor 7 Monaten
Behind the Scenes footage from the early-May taping of Startup Singam, Season 2, Episode 22. To borrow that memorable line from Titanic (1997): "It's amazing... you could almost pass for a star." Almost! Don't be fooled by the camera work, folks. I can be charming, but my charisma quotient is not at the "mass scene" level, of the kind featuring a slow-motion entry by a stylish hero.
S. Anil Kumar45,514 Aufrufe • vor 4 Monaten
I had an interview scheduled with Chennai Live Digital 104.8 for last Saturday. Sadly, my mother passed away early that morning. I could grieve and brood indefinitely, but I choose to go about life and work with renewed purpose. Kyunki maa ka naam roshan karna hai! To make her proud. 💖
S. Anil Kumar51,181 Aufrufe • vor 5 Monaten
I look like sh!t, but that's part of the point of this PSA of a video. And it's not because I'm all sweaty, fresh from a walk/jog with my dog, but reality is that I feel like a bag of bones. I've long been trim, and imagine if I've had 10 pounds to lose over the last three months! That's close to 5 kgs. You'd wonder where do I even have 10 pounds to lose. But that's what stress does to you and not prioritizing on health and wellness. So, I am pleased to be able to ask not only myself but also you professionals out there, hard-working folks out there: When was the last time you worked up such a sweat? If you have to think, if it hasn't been this week, if it hasn't been last week, tell yourself, as I'm telling myself, that's not a good sign. Move the body. Eat well. Sleep right. I'm telling myself, not giving a lecture, but taking the opportunity to put useful messages out there. I'm glad to have a lot to be grateful for. I'm glad that in the wake of three visits to Delhi, three hearings at the Supreme Court in three weeks and a landmark, decisive win later, of course I need to decompress. I predictably took ill, but now I'm on the mend again and taking stock of how there are 110 days left in the year, I'm tempted to come up with a resolution rather than wait until the new year to come up with a resolution on the fitness front, on the professional front... But overall, it has to do with what I tell you: Be good, do well, take care of yourself, because you can't pour out of an empty jug. And there's a lot of catching up to do with a lot of good folks. So looking forward to it. Take care.
S. Anil Kumar21,460 Aufrufe • vor 2 Monaten
A Mother's Day Tribute. I visited my elderly mother the other night. As always, she asked, in Hindi, "Beta, business kaisa chal raha hai?" "Son, how is the business doing?" She has short-term memory loss, sadly, and doesn't remember what I do, other than that I run a business. (I founded and run Jodi365, an app-enabled bespoke matchmaking service—since 2009—for elite Indian singles.) When I told her, yet again, that things were going well, that our discerning clients and their families pay us in the lakhs of rupees for our service, her jaw dropped – yet again. In her time, she said, an entire wedding cost just ₹15,000. Then, in that pure, loving way you can only expect from a parent, she said: "Beta, hamesha mehnat aur imandari se kaam karna." That's Hindi for, "Son, always work with integrity and dedication." The key words in Tamil, for my Tamil audience: Uzhaippu and nermai! That's the simple, powerful theme I want to share today. To every entrepreneur, young professional, and next-generation builder: Work hard. Work with integrity. To succeed, of course, hard work and luck may not be enough. Luck matters, too. It's the X-factor. But the harder you work, the luckier you get, and I could talk about the benefits of maximizing one's luck surface area. I am grateful for much in life, including knowing the love that I have known and to be able, with a lot more gray hair today, to add much value to others' lives. Good luck to you all on your respective life journeys. Be good. Do well. Save this if it touched you. Share it with someone building something meaningful. For more real perspectives on life, love, relationships, careers, and business, follow along. Take care.
S. Anil Kumar48,484 Aufrufe • vor 6 Monaten
Modern dating is full of double standards that most people pretend don't exist. If a woman says she wants a fit, successful, emotionally intelligent man: She's "high value." If a man says he wants a fit, feminine, and pleasant woman: He's suddenly "superficial" or "objectifying." Same energy. Different verdict. A woman with many past partners is often called "empowered." A man with the same history? "Player" or "emotionally unavailable." Someone cancels last minute or ghosts? If it's a man, it's "toxic masculinity." If it's a woman, "she's protecting her peace." Same energy. Different verdict. Men are told to drop traditional expectations, split everything 50-50, and to be vulnerable. Women are told never to lower their standards and that their feelings are always valid. One side is told to drop the old expectations, while the other side is encouraged to keep the best of both the old and the new rules. That's not equality. That's a rigged game. And that's not sustainable. So, don't be surprised if the dating world today is as messy as it is. As it is, there are some inherent double standards. Most women find roughly 80% of men unattractive and focus their attention on the top tier. Whereas men are far less selective. I call these asymmetries that derive from biological realities. Women bear a higher reproductive cost, so are naturally choosier. Men compete, women choose. That's how it is. Deal with it! Expecting equality in every interaction – women not getting attention from the men they desire, and men not getting attention from the majority of women – only breeds resentment on both sides. The way forward for anyone serious about a real relationship? Drop the slogans. Be honest about what you actually want. Be honest about what you bring to the table. Have real conversations instead of playing by politically correct scripts. That's how you find genuine compatibility. If you're a busy, accomplished single tired of the games, this is for you. Save this. Share it with someone who needs the reality check. For more unfiltered perspectives on life, love, and relationships, follow along.
S. Anil Kumar33,483 Aufrufe • vor 4 Monaten
It was 16 years ago last week that I officially founded Jodi365!* 🥂 I am grateful for the trust that countless, genuine Indian singles have placed in Jodi365 over the years and for all the goodwill earned from those who have appreciated our mere existence. There is a long story to narrate someday on this fulfilling journey, which wouldn't have been possible without: - Friends and loved ones who have both supported and challenged me - Teammates who have believed in me - Investors who have backed me, and - Well-wishers who have rooted for me. For now, I'll say just this: Thank you! * While the idea for a "refreshingly different" Indian matchmaking platform and service came to me early in 2009, I faxed the Certificate of Formation for FreeElective, Jodi365's parent company, to the State of Delaware on March 17, 2009.
S. Anil Kumar85,329 Aufrufe • vor 1 Jahr
Raghuram Rajan famously said, in 2015: "I do what I do." My problem with that: He stole my line! After all, it was for similar, good reason, in 2009, that I named my startup FreeElective. A decade and a half later, though, I see fit to explain what I do, as an accidental matchmaker. The reality is that, when it comes to finding a mate, it's not a numbers problem. There are plenty of singles out there. The real challenge? Figuring out who is right for you – especially when you're well-educated, accomplished, and don't have the bandwidth to put yourself out there. And it takes putting oneself out there! So, how is one to go about figuring out who may be a potential partner? For as long as humans have existed, humans have sought to get into relationships. We are WIRED to pass the genes on to the next generation. We are WIRED for companionship. So, I've not had to sell the case that this is a problem worth solving. It's just a question of how effectively you solve the problem. That's exactly why Jodi365 exists. We're not another dating app or matrimonial site. We're your trusted concierge matchmaker. We do the heavy lifting: → Pre-screen genuine, serious people with real long-term intent → Ask the uncomfortable questions you'd be too polite to ask → Size up backgrounds, values, and compatibility → Make warm, personal introductions → Stay in the background to ensure smooth communication So you can keep living your best life while we handle the rest. And with all the gray hair, for me to be able to come in and play the role of a guide, a counselor, help people navigate the emotional roller coaster. So, the best word for all that I do is: Matchmaker. For, that's what I do: Connecting people. If you're a busy, high-achieving single ready for a meaningful relationship, see this reel as your sign. Visit Jodi365 and let us do what we do best. Save this. Share with that accomplished friend who's tired of the DIY apps. And for more perspectives on life, love, and relationships, follow along.
S. Anil Kumar29,651 Aufrufe • vor 5 Monaten
"SC/ST, please excuse." The phrase once appeared on a major matrimonial site… and caused massive outrage. The company was forced to apologize and start filtering such profiles. But as a matchmaker with 15+ years of experience, here's my simple take: I would have argued strongly for letting it remain visible. Why? Because, as the saying goes, "When someone shows you who they are, believe them." Just as with "Brokers, please excuse" in real-estate ads, or the old colonial country-club signs that supposedly read "Dogs and Indians not allowed," open prejudice—however distasteful—gives you information. Transparency > hidden bias. I'd rather know upfront that someone is narrow-minded or holds offensive preferences than discover it six months into conversations or a relationship. Important clarification: This is about the deeply personal realm of choosing a life partner—not housing, employment, or public services, which must remain governed by law and basic decency. Preferences in matrimony are not the same as discrimination in tenancy or jobs. Preferences are personal. Full stop. That is exactly why, when working with our valued clients at Jodi365, we invite them to share their preferences openly and candidly. I respect them—even as I sometimes challenge and push back on the ones I believe are limiting or unfair. Outright bigotry does exist in this world. We can't wish it away. But I'd rather people reveal themselves clearly. If knowledge is power, such knowledge safeguards everyone in the long run. Exceptions are necessary, of course—just as, in the name of free speech, one can't yell "Fire!" in a crowded theater. What do you think? Should such statements be allowed to stay visible, or should platforms hide them? Drop your thoughts below. For more unfiltered perspectives on life, love, relationships, and human nature, follow along. Serious about finding someone who truly matches your values and world view? Talk to us at
S. Anil Kumar33,022 Aufrufe • vor 6 Monaten
I never got around to a "16 hours in Trichy" photo essay – along the lines of The New York Times' 36 Hours series – last fall. Since done is better than perfect, as with my previous post late last night, here are some pics for my Delhi 2025 time capsule. A photo essay may yet follow.
S. Anil Kumar33,088 Aufrufe • vor 1 Jahr
![I'm not ashamed to admit it: Building a scalable platform is brutal. It's really, really hard. I've faced the classic investor pushback, too. One IIT entrepreneur-turned-investor even told me that I wouldn't get funded because I was "too old" and had "been around too long." Typical herd mentality. Here's advice I'd give to every budding entrepreneur: Before you take money or even advice from any investor, do your own reference checks. Picture them in their underwear, with zero money in the bank. Then ask yourself: Is what they're saying actual wisdom? Or just BS and bombast? Because many of them carry a lot of attitude simply because they have capital. And to the younger folks entering venture capital, I'd say: Show some humility. You may have founders brown-nosing you today. But remember, you're only as good as the actual returns you deliver (DPI), not your paper valuations or markups. There are enough one-fund VCs out there. Real value comes from humility and results, not ego. If you're building something meaningful as an entrepreneur and facing rejection, keep going. The right people will eventually see it. Save this if you needed the reminder. Share it with an entrepreneur or investor who needs to hear it. For more unfiltered perspectives on business and entrepreneurship, follow along. #EntrepreneurLife #StartupStruggles #InvestorAdvice #VCHumility #BuildAnyway #StartupIndia #NoBSAdvice #Jodi365 [entrepreneurship, india, startup, struggle, investor, advice, humility, Jodi365]](https://image.24vids.com/tw-2069108091627643203/amplify_video_thumb/2069107008108982272/img/e4IYLKO1yJKuRbmJ.jpg)
I'm not ashamed to admit it: Building a scalable platform is brutal. It's really, really hard. I've faced the classic investor pushback, too. One IIT entrepreneur-turned-investor even told me that I wouldn't get funded because I was "too old" and had "been around too long." Typical herd mentality. Here's advice I'd give to every budding entrepreneur: Before you take money or even advice from any investor, do your own reference checks. Picture them in their underwear, with zero money in the bank. Then ask yourself: Is what they're saying actual wisdom? Or just BS and bombast? Because many of them carry a lot of attitude simply because they have capital. And to the younger folks entering venture capital, I'd say: Show some humility. You may have founders brown-nosing you today. But remember, you're only as good as the actual returns you deliver (DPI), not your paper valuations or markups. There are enough one-fund VCs out there. Real value comes from humility and results, not ego. If you're building something meaningful as an entrepreneur and facing rejection, keep going. The right people will eventually see it. Save this if you needed the reminder. Share it with an entrepreneur or investor who needs to hear it. For more unfiltered perspectives on business and entrepreneurship, follow along. #EntrepreneurLife #StartupStruggles #InvestorAdvice #VCHumility #BuildAnyway #StartupIndia #NoBSAdvice #Jodi365 [entrepreneurship, india, startup, struggle, investor, advice, humility, Jodi365]
S. Anil Kumar12,478 Aufrufe • vor 4 Monaten
Hello, world! See video. In keeping with the trending "Intro" theme on Instagram: Over the past few decades, I have enjoyed wearing many hats: inventor, code developer, researcher, consulting engineer, activist, entrepreneur, and angel investor. I am the founder and CEO of FreeElective, the parent company of Jodi365, a bespoke matchmaking platform and service for elite singles. I was previously the first lead associate at Hyde Park Angels, currently one of the largest angel investment networks in the midwestern United States. Prior to HPA, I spent seven years at a boutique consulting firm in Seattle, providing specialized engineering and consulting services to clients in the marine industry. I am a graduate and Institute Blue of the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras and hold a Master's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Iowa and a PhD in computational hydrodynamics from the University of Michigan. I also earned an MBA in entrepreneurship and strategic management from the Chicago Booth School of Business. In addition to receiving a KPMG Award for Leadership and Scholarship at Chicago Booth, I was one of two graduating students to receive a Dean's Award of Distinction. I am still writing my life's story. Good luck writing yours! 🥂
S. Anil Kumar20,104 Aufrufe • vor 9 Monaten
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