Archive · 19 Sep 2026
Denied Army Career, Rambabu Sharma Built an Ice-Cream Empire
In 1978, Rambabu Sharma left Rajasthan to try to join the Army.
He traveled to Belgaum for a recruitment interview.
Sharma passed all the required stages.
However, his father would not allow him to join.
Feeling disappointed, Sharma decided not to go back home.
He worked several different jobs during difficult years.
Later, he discovered that he wanted to make and sell ice cream.
His business, Old Mumbai Ice Cream, grew from its first outlets to more than 25 stores across India.
Rambabu Ramraj Sharma traveled from Rajasthan to Belgaum in 1978 for an Army recruitment interview.
Sharma passed the required stages, but his father refused permission for him to join the Army.
He chose not to return home and spent years doing various jobs.
Sharma eventually found his calling in the ice-cream business.
Old Mumbai Ice Cream expanded from outlets in Ichalkaranji and Sangli to more than 25 stores across India.
- Who
- Rambabu Ramraj Sharma and his ice-cream business, Old Mumbai Ice Cream.
- What
- Sharma moved from pursuing an Army career to building an ice-cream business that grew to more than 25 stores.
- When
- Sharma traveled to Belgaum in 1978; the business expanded afterward.
- Where
- Sharma traveled from Rajasthan to Belgaum, and Old Mumbai Ice Cream began with outlets in Ichalkaranji and Sangli before expanding across India.
- Why
- Sharma pursued another career after his father refused permission for him to join the Army.
- Founder
- Rambabu Ramraj Sharma
- Army attempt
- Sharma traveled to Belgaum in 1978 for recruitment and passed the required stages.
- Turning point
- His father did not permit him to join the Army.
- Business
- Old Mumbai Ice Cream
- First outlets
- Ichalkaranji and Sangli
- Current footprint
- More than 25 stores across India