The love story of Dattaraj Salgaocar, Mukesh Ambani’s childhood friend, and Ambani’s youngest sister Deepti, began in Mumbai’s first skyscraper, Usha Kiran. Located on Carmichael Road, one of the city’s most exclusive residential areas, this building housed both families. Deepti lived on the 22nd floor while Dattaraj resided on the 14th.
After the untimely passing of Dattaraj’s father, Vasudev Salgaocar, founder and chairman of the V M Salgaocar Group of Companies, Dhirubhai Ambani, the patriarch of the Ambani family and founder of Reliance, became a mentor to the young Salgaocar. Dhirubhai and Vasudev were great friends, often bonding over plates of hot onion bhajis and Camparis. Dattaraj’s frequent visits to the Ambani home led to a close friendship with Mukesh and Anil Ambani, and eventually, he fell in love with their sister Deepti.
“I met Deepti, we fell in love and told our families, who agreed [with the relationship] immediately… It was the first wedding in her family, but the last wedding in mine, because I am the youngest of seven children,” Dattaraj recalled in an interview with DNA.
A Grand Wedding and Move to Goa
The couple got married in 1983 and moved to Goa in January 1984. They settled into Dattaraj’s sprawling ancestral home in Chicalim, close to Dabolim Airport. Designed by architect Rallino Souza, the mansion features exquisitely landscaped gardens.
Luxurious Properties in Goa
Apart from their Chicalim mansion, Dattaraj and Deepti own several other luxurious properties. They have a beach-facing house in Candolim and another home in Dona Paula, near Panjim. Perched on a cliff, the Dona Paula home offers a mesmerizing 360-degree view of the Arabian Sea. While the exact prices of these properties have not been disclosed, their prime locations suggest they are worth multiple crores.
Sports Ventures
In 1974, the Salgaocars formed the Salgaocar Cricket Club under the V M Salgaocar Corporation banner. Over the years, the club’s team won major tournaments like the GCA Premier Division, the Bandodkar Trophy, and the Dhargalkar Trophy. Dattaraj served as the President of the Goa Cricket Association (GCA) from 1994 to 1997.
Beyond cricket, Dattaraj capitalized on his passion for football by co-founding FC Goa in the Indian Super League alongside Virat Kohli, Venugopal Dhoot (Chairman of Videocon Industries Limited), and Shrinivas Dempo (Chairman of the Dempo group). However, he stepped down from ownership in 2016.
Patron of the Arts
In 2009, Dattaraj established the Sunaparanta Goa Centre for the Arts, a non-profit initiative promoting local artists. The Centre is located in Altinho hills of Panjim and features exhibition galleries, a library, a multi-functional space for workshops and lectures, an open-air amphitheater, and a cafe. Deepti serves as the vice-chairperson and advisory board member.
Other Roles and Achievements
Dattaraj Salgaocar, also a photographer and wildlife conservation activist, holds various prominent positions:
Chairman of the V.M. Salgaocar Institute of International Hospitality Education
President of V.M. Salgaocar College of Law
Vice President of the Goa International Centre
Founder Member of the Brookings India Initiative
Private Life
Dattaraj and Deepti, along with their children Vikram and Isheta, maintain a low profile despite their extensive involvement in various industries and cultural activities. Their wealth and influence continue to grow, cementing their status as prominent figures in Goa and beyond.
