A SCOTS curry king with an empire worth £15 million is giving it all up – so he can eat porridge and meditate.
Charan Gill, who built up his fortune with a chain of Indian restaurants and impressive property portfolios, was notorious for late nights, luxury cars and his champagne lifestyle.
The 60-year-old restaurateur became one of Scotland’s most recognisable tycoons, and has been pictured partying with glamour model Katie Price and being served by footballer Derek Johnstone.
But he has revealed he is ready to turn his back on it all – in favour of a simple existence eating porridge and practicing meditation and yoga.
The dad-of-five said: “I’ve done my bit and think it would be nice to retire. I’ve seen a change in the way I want to live my life – I’m not getting any younger.
“I’ve always believed in planning ahead and that’s what has kept me ahead of the pack.
“You have to look at what’s in front of you and what you have. I think you have to look at life in general and see what it is you want.”
He has already sold his £100,000 Bentley because he “didn’t need it” and swapped meat for a daily diet of porridge, lentil dhal and chapatis – costing him just £15 a week.
Success
Gill gave up alcohol four years ago, started going to bed early and getting up at 4am – helping him lose almost 4st.
He has now drafted in estate agents to help him shift his impressive property portfolio, which includes more than 100 flats and houses, mainly in Glasgow.
The move comes a decade after Gill sold his chain of Indian restaurants – including the iconic Ashoka curry houses – for £8 million.
His curry empire was Europe’s largest and Gill’s breathtaking success saw him scoop a string of business awards.
He was also summoned to Buckingham Palace where he received an MBE for services to the food and catering industry.
Gill, who lives on the south side of Glasgow, said: “I’ve not really worked for the last four years. I’ve been travelling and had a change of life.
“I’m doing yoga, meditating and doing things I’ve always wanted to do. I’ve no real business interests. I had a period in my life which was wonderful – I enjoyed my restaurants.
Life
“But life has to evolve, you’ve got to keep yourself fresh. I didn’t want to die being at a desk in an office.
“I want to be young enough to enjoy my children and grandchildren and everything else life has to offer.”
Gill arrived in Glasgow with his family from the Punjab, India, in 1963 at the age of nine.
He had little English and started his career as a turner and fitter at Yarrow’s Shipyards on the Clyde in 1969.
To boost his wages, he worked as a waiter in the Ashoka West End, which he bought in 1984.
Dubbed “Glasgow’s Curry King”, he turned Scotland’s passion for curry into a thriving empire of 17 restaurants.
Since his success he has written an autobiography, Tikka Look at me Now, and appeared in the hit Channel 4 TV series The Secret Millionaire.
In 2010, he got an honorary degree from Glasgow University for his contribution to the city.
