The news of Dr. C.J. Roy’s sudden and tragic passing has sent shockwaves through the Indian real estate and business landscape. As the visionary behind the Confident Group, Roy was a man who lived by a “zero-debt” philosophy, building a multinational empire that stretched from the backwaters of Kerala to the skyscrapers of Dubai.
However, the story of this billionaire entrepreneur took a dark turn on January 30, 2026, when he committed suicide at his office in Bengaluru. The 57 year old shot himself inside his office near Richmond Circle, the police said in a statement.
The reason behind CJ Roy’s suicide presently remains unclear. A notable film producer and reality show sponsor Roy produced a total of eight Kannada and Malayalam films and supported multiple large-scale projects featuring leading actors from the South Indian film industry.
Here are 5 things to know about CJ Roy.
The “Zero-Debt” Pioneer
Unlike many real estate tycoons and business mongers in general who rely heavily on bank financing, CJ Roy built the Confident Group on a completely debt-free model. He famously claimed that none of his nearly 160 projects were stalled due to financial or organizational issues.
His business strategy was centered on clear land titles and legal transparency to build “buyer confidence,” a trait that earned him a significant reputation in the South Indian market.
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From Private planes to luxury car collection
Roy’s journey was one of rapid acceleration. He made headlines for owning his first private aircraft at the age of 36 which was reportedly purchased without any loans embracing his ‘debt-free’ policy. His passion for luxury extended to a massive garage of high-end cars which feature cars from brands like Porsche, and Rolls Royce.
The cash burner behind Mohanlal’s Casanovva: Film Producer
The Confident Group wasn’t just a local player. Under Roy’s leadership, the conglomerate expanded across India, the UAE, and the USA. Beyond residential and commercial real estate, the group diversified into Hospitality, Aviation and Entertainment which led Roy to produce high-budget films like the Mohanlal-starrer Casanovva.
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Philanthropy and Education
Beyond the boardroom, Dr. Roy was also involved in supporting multiple social causes. In 2025, he awarded Rs. 1 crore in scholarships to over 200 students in Kerala and Karnataka to study at educational institutes of their choice.
Prior to his suicide Roy had touted ambitious plans for 2026 to expand this reach to 300 students, believing that education was the only tool to break the cycle of poverty.
From corporate cubicle to construction king
Roy didn’t start with a silver spoon. He began his career in the corporate sector at Hewlett-Packard (HP) before taking a leap into real estate in the mid-2000s. He famously credited his success to a “disciplined approach” to land titles, ensuring every project was legally “bulletproof”—a conviction that makes the recent tax scrutiny even more surprising to his peers.
According to police reports, Income Tax (IT) raids had been conducted by the Kerala IT team at his properties for three consecutive days prior to the incident. Despite being rushed to Narayana Hospital, he was declared dead, leaving the business community in mourning. |
