BENGALURU: From keeping accounts for his mother’s modest real estate dealings to becoming an honorary consul and one of Bengaluru’s wealthiest developers, CJ Roy’s journey is a study in foresight and timing.Who was CJ Roy?Roy Chiriankandath Joseph, popularly known as CJ Roy, 57 was born in Kerala and raised in Bengaluru, was a visionary real estate developer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. His journey in real estate began at home. His mother, a neighbourhood real estate agent, quietly bought 30–40 sites at a time, built houses, and sold them. Roy tracked the accounts and silently absorbed the mechanism of land transactions and cash flows — knowledge that later helped him make informed decisions, transforming parts of Bengaluru and Kerala. Although Roy’s family was based in Dubai, he chose to focus his career and investments in India, shaping the real estate and entertainment landscapes in Bengaluru and Kerala.Social Media PresenceRoy had an active Instagram presence with 1.3 million followers, despite disabling the comment section. His last post was a Republic Day greeting: “A Very Happy Republic Day,” showing him smiling in a blue blazer. The post received nearly 5 lakh views. He regularly shared updates on cars, helicopters, travel, family, and real estate projects.Career Beginnings and Real Estate VisionRoy’s professional life began in 1990 with nine-to-five roles at companies such as BPL, TVS, and HP before he stepped into the realty business. The defining moment came in 2001 when most Bengaluru developers focused on central districts, while Roy saw potential in Sarjapur — then open fields with long roads, where acres were selling for about Rs 6 lakh.In 2005, he launched Confident Group. “I had enough capital to buy 150–200 acres in Sarjapur and decided to go ahead with it instead of sinking money into the CBD,” he said. Despite resistance from family and company directors, only his wife supported the move. Roy committed to building on the periphery — a gamble that paid off spectacularly.Expansion in KeralaHis first purchase in Kerala comprised two plots in Kakkanad. While 100 flats were designed and much was spent on roadshows, there were zero sales initially. A chance encounter in Mumbai with a TV executive led him to offer his flat as the prize for a reality show. Roy became the show’s brand ambassador, and the popularity led to flat sales soon after.Passion for CarsRoy’s relationship with cars began in 1994 with his first vehicle — a Maruti car. Despite being dismissed by a salesman, he vowed to one day own the world’s most iconic cars. Over time, he amassed 12 Rolls-Royce cars, a Bugatti Veyron, a Koenigsegg Agera, Lamborghinis, a McLaren 720S, and a Mercedes-Maybach. Roy even repurchased his first Maruti, offering Rs 10 lakh to trace it.Philosophy on Real Estate“Building a home is every man’s dream. So our business is in selling dreams,” Confident Group chairman CJ Roy once said.Confident Group flourished in Kerala, catering to luxury and middle-income housing across Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, Kozhikode, and Kottayam.Ventures in EntertainmentRoy became a household name in Kerala through his entry into the entertainment industry. As early as 2007, he sponsored an apartment worth Rs 1 crore for the winner of a reality music show on Asianet. Since then, Confident Group regularly sponsored winners of reality shows, including a reward of Rs 10 lakh for the winner of the Bigg Boss Malayalam series this year.He also funded over 10 films in Malayalam and Kannada, including Casanovva, Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham, Mei Hoom Moosa, Rangappa Hogbitna, Krazy Loka, and Radhana Ganda.Sponsorships in Sports and Global EventsThe group sponsored international sports teams, including the West Indies cricket team (2013–14) and the Sri Lankan cricket team during the 2016 ICC World Cup. In 2022, Roy’s group also organised global movie awards in Dubai, Singapore, and India, further formalising its presence in the entertainment sector.Philanthropy and Community WorkBeyond business, Roy supported charity initiatives and cultural events and was active in rebuilding houses after the devastating 2018 Kerala floods. He also showcased his lifestyle, including high-end cars and chopper rides, on social media.
