Pune tycoon's Bharat Forge, part of the $2.5 billion (revenues) Kalyani Group, is seeing better days on an auto rebound and ongoing expansion of its non-auto forgings business, which today contributes 40 percent to its $1.1 billion revenues. Kalyani, along with son Amit, who helps him run operations, has ambitious plans for the defence sector. In February, they inked a partnership with Sweden's Saab to make radar and missile systems for the Indian army. They also have a joint venture with Israel's Elbit Systems to make gun systems and mine-protected vehicles.
Fast Fact: He led the business delegation of 15 tycoons that accompanied Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Japan in August. He was also recently awarded an honorary doctorate by Australia's Deakin University.