Anand Mahindra Backs Zoho’s Arattai App, Ignites Viral Buzz Around India’s WhatsApp Challenger

The digital landscape in India is witnessing a surge of national pride with the rapid ascent of Arattai, Zoho Corporation's indigenous messaging app, positioning itself as a formidable alternative to global giant WhatsApp. On October 4, 2025, Anand Mahindra, Chairman of the Mahindra Group, amplified this momentum by publicly announcing his download of the app on X (formerly Twitter). In a simple yet impactful post, Mahindra wrote, "Downloaded @Arattai today… With pride," accompanied by an image that resonated with millions of followers. This gesture not only highlighted his support for 'Made-in-India' technology but also triggered a chain of interactions underscoring the growing enthusiasm for self-reliant digital solutions under the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' initiative.

Zoho co-founder and Chief Scientist Sridhar Vembu, known for his visionary leadership in building ad-free, privacy-focused software, responded with genuine appreciation, turning the exchange into a heartwarming moment. Vembu shared that he was in a meeting at Zoho's Tenkasi office with Arattai engineers, refining the app's features, when a team member alerted him to Mahindra's post. "Thank you, Anand Mahindra this gives us even more determination," Vembu replied, emphasizing how such endorsements fuel their resolve to innovate. Mahindra, in turn, quoted Vembu's response with an encouraging, "We're cheering for you, @svembu," fostering a public display of camaraderie between two titans of Indian industry. This interaction, viewed over 1.9 million times, has amplified Arattai's visibility, blending corporate support with grassroots digital nationalism.

Arattai, derived from the Tamil word for "casual chat," was launched by Chennai-based Zoho in January 2021 but has exploded in popularity recently, topping charts on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store in India. Key features mirror WhatsApp's core offerings—text and voice messaging, high-definition voice and video calls, photo/video/document sharing, stories, groups supporting up to 1,000 members, and broadcast channels—while introducing unique enhancements like integrated video meetings akin to Zoom, a private "Pocket" for note-taking, and "Mentions" for efficient group interactions. Optimized for low-end smartphones and slower networks, it ensures accessibility for rural and budget-conscious users, consuming less data and resources than its competitor. Unlike Meta's WhatsApp, which leverages user data for targeted ads, Arattai commits to an ad-free experience, storing all data in Indian data centers to uphold digital sovereignty and privacy.

Also Read: India Highlights Pakistan’s Human Rights Abuses at UN Rights Council

The app's meteoric rise is evidenced by a staggering 100x traffic surge in just three days, with daily sign-ups jumping from 3,000 to 350,000, as revealed by Vembu. This growth coincides with high-profile endorsements from Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who on September 24, 2025, urged citizens to "switch to India-made apps" like Arattai, calling it "free, easy-to-use, secure, safe, and made in India" in alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Swadeshi call.

Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw further bolstered its credibility by using Zoho's tools in a Cabinet briefing. However, challenges remain: While Arattai offers end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for calls and videos, text messages currently require a "secret mode" for full encryption, lagging behind WhatsApp's default E2EE across all communications—a point raised by privacy advocates. Zoho has promised updates to bridge this gap.

As Arattai challenges WhatsApp's monopoly—boasting over 500 million Indian users—the app's multi-device support for up to five gadgets, including desktops and even smart TVs, adds versatility absent in WhatsApp. With no AI intrusions or data monetization, it appeals to users seeking simplicity and ethics over feature bloat. Mahindra's endorsement and Vembu's response symbolize a broader shift toward empowering local tech ecosystems. As downloads soar, Arattai isn't just an app—it's a testament to India's burgeoning digital self-reliance, though sustaining this momentum against entrenched giants will test Zoho's ingenuity.

Also Read: India, Canada Reset Ties as Cooter Meets President Murmu