Indian-origin person who paid off the education loans of all 176 graduates in US is actor Madhavan's inspiration. Who is Anil Kochhar?

R. Madhavan is currently enjoying a successful phase in his career, with back-to-back projects, diverse roles and strong audience appreciation. The actor recently received praise for his performance in Dhurandhar and its sequel, Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge, both of which performed well commercially. While the sequel is preparing for its digital release in India and internationally on Netflix, Madhavan continues to stay active on social media, often sharing motivational stories, quotes and inspiring videos with his followers. Well, today (May 13) was no different.

Taking to his Instagram handle, actor Madhavan reshared a viral video featuring Indian-American philanthropist Anil Kochhar. In the clip, Kochhar announced during a graduation ceremony at North Carolina State University, Wilson College of Textiles, that he and his wife Marilyn would pay the final-year education loans of 176 graduates from the 2025-26 academic year.

If you are wondering who Anil Kochhar is, here is everything to know about him.


The announcement was made during the college’s commencement ceremony held at Reynolds Coliseum on May 8. Wearing a red NC State cap, Anil surprised students by revealing that the financial support would be offered in honour of his late father, Prakash Chand Kochhar.


Anil Kochhar said during the ceremony, "It is my privilege to announce today that, in honour of my father Prakash Chand Kochhar, Marilyn and I are providing a graduation gift to cover all the final-year education loans incurred by Wilson College graduates during the 2025–26 academic year."

According to New York Post report, the Kochhar family worked closely with university officials and the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid before making the announcement public. The gesture immediately received applause from students, parents and faculty members present at the event.

Dean David Hinks also praised the Kochhars for their contribution. He reportedly described the move as an extraordinary investment in the lives of the college’s newest graduates and said it would help make education more accessible and affordable for students.

During his speech, Anil Kochhar talks about his father’s inspiring journey from India to the United States nearly eight decades ago. He shared that Prakash Chand Kochhar arrived in Raleigh from Punjab with little more than ambition, hope and determination, without knowing what the future would hold for him or his family.

Prakash Chand Kochhar later became an important part of the university’s history. He joined NC State in 1946 and completed his bachelor’s degree in textile manufacturing in 1950. He then earned a master’s degree in the same field in 1952. His career in textile engineering eventually took him to different parts of the United States and several countries around the world. According to the university, his life experiences shaped his belief in education, opportunity and community service, values that continue to inspire his family today.



Meanwhile, Madhavan’s repost of the video also received huge attention online. Many social media users praised the Kochhar family for helping students start their professional journeys without the burden of education loans. Several users also appreciated Madhavan for highlighting positive and inspiring stories through his social media platform.

Over the years, Madhavan has often used his online presence to share motivational content, social messages and stories of individuals making a difference. He will next be seen in the Tamil series Legacy, all set to release on Netflix.