Nithin Kamath offered help when I was nearly broke, had 8 suits against me: Food Pharmer

'Food Pharmer' Revant Himatsingka with Zerodha co-founder and CEO Nithin Kamath. (Image credit: @foodpharmer2/X)

Influencer Revant Himatsingka, also known as the 'Food Pharmer', on Thursday revealed that Nithin Kamath, the billionaire co-founder of Zerodha, India's largest online brokerage platform, had offered to help him financially during one of Himatsingka's lowest periods.

In a post on X, the food influencer stated that he was "nearly broke, battling lawsuits, and questioning everything" after quitting his job in the US and was not engaging in food brand deals. He also faced eight legal notices. It was during this time, in December 2023, that he met Kamath at an event.

He recalled Kamath telling him: "Don’t worry, if you need any financial help, let me know, I’ll help out.” When Himatsingka asked him about potential equity in return for the help. Kamath reportedly smiled and replied: "None. I don’t want anything. I just want to support you.”

The Food Pharmer said he was surprised at the offer, noting he was not a close friend and had never met Kamath before. "I was stunned," he said. "I wasn’t a close friend. In fact, I had never met him before. It wasn’t charity. It was belief. Belief that doing the right thing is worth backing."

Himatsingka ultimately decided not to accept the money, stating his wish to create a sustainable income source instead of relying on donations or contributions. But he conveyed his gratitude to the Zerodha CEO. "In a world obsessed with ROI, here was someone who reminded me that true wealth is in character.... Forever grateful, Nithin. You didn’t just offer me help. You inspired me," he concluded.