For Anurag Jain, Co-founder & Group COO, CarDekho Group, life outside work is anchored in a few simple but consistent routines that help him stay balanced. Amid the pace of building and decision-making, he makes a conscious effort to slow down and spend time with his children, where conversations and small moments bring a sense of clarity that the workplace rarely allows. Reading remains an important part of his routine as well, helping him stay informed and think through the world with perspective. Having grown up in a close-knit family in Jaipur, these habits of staying connected have stayed with him over the years, with family dinners continuing to be a constant. In this conversation with BrandWagon Online, he shares the personal choices and interests that help him unwind and stay grounded outside work.
What is the one thing you like to do when not working?
Spending time with the kids at home is something I genuinely look forward to. Whether it is a game of cricket in the backyard or just kicking a football around, those moments bring a certain energy that no boardroom can replicate. Kids have this remarkable ability to pull you completely into the present. You stop thinking about quarterly numbers or product roadmaps and just play. For me, that is the most effective way to reset. It also keeps me physically active, which matters more as responsibilities grow. There is something deeply grounding about being around children. Their curiosity, their honesty, and their complete lack of pretense remind you of what genuinely matters. I think every leader needs that anchor, and for me, it has always been my family.
How do you spend your weekends?
Weekends, for me, are about recalibration. The week is defined by intensity - strategy, decision-making, and the constant pace of building. Weekends, however, are reserved for what truly matters, i.e. my family. I prioritize spending time with my kids, being fully present and sharing moments that often get missed during the week. I also make time to read. It’s a discipline I’ve maintained over the years because staying informed is essential. How you understand the world shapes how you build within it.
Having grown up in Jaipur, in a close-knit family, I’ve carried forward a few constants - the importance of staying connected and making time despite busy schedules. So, family dinners continue to be an integral part of the routine, helping us stay connected.
What are your favorite gadgets?
It’s my car and my phone. A car enthusiast and a techie at heart, these two are integral to how I live and work. The phone is straightforward; it’s the operating system of modern professional life. It keeps you connected, informed, and always on. The car, however, carries a different meaning. Our BMW was the first car we bought after building CarDekho and hence, it holds a special place in my heart. Every time I get behind the wheel, it reminds me of our relentless journey of the last 18 years, and the impact we have created.
At CarDekho, we've spent years thinking about how cars and technology intersect lives, so these aren't just personal preferences. They reflect everything I care about, personally and professionally.
Given an option to choose another career, what would it be?
As a child, I was fascinated by space. Astronauts represented the ultimate intersection of courage, science, and exploration, and that combination was deeply appealing. If I were to choose another path today, something in space technology would be at the top of the list. The sector is at an inflection point globally, and India's own space journey has been remarkable. What excites me most is that space tech is fundamentally a problem-solving domain. You are working with extreme constraints, limited resources, and very little room for error, which is not entirely unlike building a startup.
Which is your favorite vacation spot?
India, without hesitation. Our country offers magnificent landscapes, from the deserts of Rajasthan to the backwaters of Kerala, from the mountains of the Northeast to the coastlines of the South. Many of these remain hidden gems that most Indians haven't visited. I feel a strong pull toward discovering what's within our borders before looking beyond them. There is also something meaningful about choosing to explore your own country. It deepens your understanding of the people, the history, and the diversity that makes India what it is. For me, every trip here feels less like a holiday and more like a discovery. That sense of curiosity and learning is what makes it my preferred destination every time.
A TV show, a movie, and an ad campaign you highly recommend watching
TV show - I highly recommend Ancient Aliens. It presents alternative perspectives on human history that are genuinely thought-provoking. Whether or not you agree with its theories, it encourages you to question established narratives, and that kind of intellectual curiosity is something I value.
Movie - For a movie, Dhurandhar stands out. It blends exhilarating action with a strong undercurrent of patriotism, the kind that does not feel forced but emerges naturally through the story. It is the sort of film that stays with you.
Ad campaign- This one is personal. It is CarDekho Group’s Badhte India Ka Bharosa. It's a reminder that trust isn't given; it's earned slowly, through grit, perseverance, and consistent hard work. The phrase itself, Badhte India Ka Bharosa, speaks to something larger than our brand. It speaks to the aspirations of a country on the move. For me, that campaign captures the spirit of what CarDekho Group stands for and what we've tried to embody since day one, in our garage in Jaipur.
