How a Punjabi migrant turned a mental health crisis into a thriving ready-to-eat Indian curry business

Atul Chanana, founder of Tully'z Kitchen.jpg

Atul Chanana, founder of Tully'z Kitchen Credit: Mr Chanana

After surviving profound personal loss and a severe mental health crisis, Atul Chanana rebuilt his life through food. Migrating from Amritsar to Australia in 2003 as an international student, he now runs Melbourne-based Tullyz Kitchen, bringing authentic ready-to-eat Indian sauces to supermarket shelves across the country.


After facing the unimaginable, losing his father at a young age and his life partner just months after their marriage, Atul hit rock bottom.

"I struggled with emotional pain so deep that I nearly lost my will to live," he said.

After a less-than-successful start in the masala business, today, he’s the proud founder of Melbourne-based Tullyz Kitchen, a company transforming how Australians experience Indian flavours.

With pre-cooked Indian sauces now on the shelves of Woolworths and Coles, Atul says he has made authentic flavours accessible, quick, and widely popular.

Tune in to the podcast to hear Atul Chanana’s journey of resilience, reinvention, and the power of family flavours.
Disclaimer: Readers seeking crisis support can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 and Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 (for young people aged up to 25). More information and support with mental health is available at Beyond Blue.org.au and on 1300 22 4636.

Embrace Multicultural Mental Health supports people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

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