At New Delhi airport, a young woman's words surprised designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee: "Mr. Mukherjee, you cannot die." When he asked why, she replied, "You have so much idealism in your business. What will happen to us?" That moment reinforced his realization, his brand had become a cultural institution.

Sabyasachi, who launched his label 25 years ago, has always prioritized longevity over control. His 2021 decision to sell a 51% stake to the Aditya Birla Group wasn't about stepping back, it was about securing the brand's future.

"Often, personal hubris makes entrepreneurs hold on too long. Then they grow old, and the brand dies with them. I was very clear, Sabya has to live on," he told CNBC-TV18.

Sabyasachi recently celebrated his 25th anniversary with a show featuring Deepika Padukone. From the beginning, he rejected Eurocentric ideals and embraced heritage textiles, embroidery, and maximalist design.

"I never felt India was a third-world country. I always felt India was a first-world civilization," he said.

At 51, he is focused on evolving the brand. Unlike family-run businesses, he won't pass it down by lineage.

"Even if I had children, I would not give it to them if they were not qualified," he insists. His goal: a corporate Sabyasachi that thrives beyond him.