What happens when you combine potatoes, passion, and pure determination?
You get Balaji Wafers — a brand that began in the back room of a small cinema in Gujarat and grew into one of India’s biggest and most loved snack companies.
Scene 1: A Cinema, A Canteen, and A Dream
Rewind to the 1970s. A young Chandubhai Virani moves with his family from a small village in Gujarat to the city of Rajkot. Like many families starting over, they took on whatever work they could find.
Chandubhai began working at Astron Cinema — not as a filmmaker, but in the cafeteria. There, he noticed something interesting: people loved the potato wafers more than the movie itself.
Sensing an opportunity, the Virani brothers borrowed a small amount of money (equivalent to a few hundred pounds) and, in 1982, began making wafers in a tiny room behind the cinema. No big machines. No fancy packaging. Just simple, perfectly salted crisps — and a lot of hard work.
Scene 2: From Local Favourite to Regional Favourite
Word spread quickly. The crunchy, golden wafers became a hit across Rajkot.
In 1992, the growing operation took on an official identity: Balaji Wafers Pvt. Ltd.,
named after Lord Balaji — a symbol of prosperity and good beginnings.
Balaji Wafers wasn’t just offering crisps. It was offering nostalgia, flavour, and value in every pack.
Scene 3: Scaling Up — With No Drama, Just Dedication
By 1996, production had moved from stovetop methods to more advanced, semi-automatic systems.
And by 2008? Balaji Wafers opened fully automated manufacturing plants in Rajkot and Valsad — setting new standards in the Indian snack industry.
Despite the scale, the taste stayed consistent. Whether you were enjoying crisps, sev, or any of their namkeen blends, each bite still felt homemade.
Scene 4: More Than Just Crisps
Balaji Wafers today offers a huge range of snacks — from Classic Salted crisps to Tomato Twist, Masala Masti, Chaat Chaska, and an entire world of namkeen (traditional Indian savoury snacks).
There’s something for every taste, every age, and every moment.
Scene 5: Competing With the Giants
In Gujarat, Balaji Wafers doesn’t just sit on the shelf — it dominates it.
Affordable, flavour-packed, and trusted by millions, Balaji Wafers has grown into one of India’s most influential snack brands, holding its own against global competitors.
From small ₹5 packs sold roadside (the Indian equivalent of pocket-sized snacks) to large party bags, Balaji Wafers has become a part of everyday life across India.
Scene 6: The Crunch Continues — Now in the UK
What started behind a cinema counter has grown into a snack dynasty. The Virani family built more than a brand — they built a feeling. A reminder that with vision and perseverance, even the simplest ideas can become iconic.
And now, that legacy is proudly brought to the UK by Adas Global Ltd, the exclusive importer and distributor of Balaji Wafers in the UK.
Whether you grew up with these flavours or you’re discovering them for the first time, each pack carries a piece of India’s entrepreneurial spirit and unwavering love for great snacks.
One brand. One story. One crunch at a time.
