Co-founders of Backbay, Samiksha Pednekar (L), and Bhumi Pednekar via Instagram/@backbaylife- Actress Bhumi Pednekar and lawyer sister Samiksha Pednekar launch Backbay, a sustainable premium beverage brand.
- Backbay Aqua is natural mineral water sourced from Himalayan glacier melt, rich in essential minerals.
- The brand uses eco-friendly FSC-certified paperboard cartons and biodegradable sugarcane caps to reduce plastic waste.
- Backbay emphasizes sustainability throughout its supply chain, including women-led bottling and e-vehicle distribution.
- Available in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, Backbay aims to expand into schools, gyms, airports, and more.
Actress Bhumi Pednekar, along with her sister Samiksha Pednekar, a practicing lawyer, has launched Backbay, a premium beverage brand with a strong focus on sustainability. Their inaugural offering, Backbay Aqua, is a natural mineral water sourced directly from the pristine Himalayan glaciers, providing a refreshing and health-conscious hydration choice.
Inspired by their family’s decade-long dedication to environmental stewardship, the Pednekar sisters created Backbay to offer a sustainable alternative to conventional bottled water. Bhumi Pednekar reflects, “Very early on, we quit using single-use plastic as much as possible. Every time I had to drink water from a plastic bottle, it would really bother me. There were just no options available.” This concern sparked the vision to develop a brand that prioritizes both quality and eco-friendliness.
Backbay Aqua is sourced from glacier melt flowing through mineral-rich Himalayan formations, naturally infused with vital minerals such as magnesium, calcium, and potassium. The water is harvested from a protected reservoir and bottled at its source by a women-led team—a testament to the brand’s commitment to sustainability across its supply chain.
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Highlighting the brand’s green ethos, Samiksha Pednekar shares, “In our entire packaging process to our distribution process, we have tried to be as conscious as possible as a brand. For instance, one of our distributor suppliers uses e-vehicles for delivery, so we are trying to reduce our carbon footprint there as well. Our packaging is paper and our caps are bio caps.”
Backbay’s environmentally friendly packaging features FSC-certified paperboard cartons and biodegradable caps crafted from sugarcane resin. These cartons are lightweight and designed to endure India’s extreme heat without leaching harmful chemicals, offering a smarter alternative to traditional plastic bottles.
The brand name “Backbay” pays homage to Mumbai, the Pednekar sisters’ hometown. Bhumi explains, “Our spirit is our city, the hustle, the hard work, the ability of turning dreams into reality, that’s what this city does. It has space for everyone. It has given me and my sister our thriving careers, our parents. So, this is where the name came from.”
Committed to quality, Samiksha assures, “You are not going to be disappointed with the water that you drink.” Backbay aims to simplify hydration by making water not just essential but enjoyable, promoting healthier lifestyles alongside greater environmental awareness.
Backbay Aqua offers a distinct taste experience, setting it apart from typical bottled waters. Bhumi notes, “We are so used to the taste of other variants available, where we feel like, ‘Oh, this is how water tastes.’ No, natural water does not taste like that.” This unique flavor derives from its natural sourcing and minimal processing.
The brand’s go-to-market strategy emphasizes partnerships with retailers and delivery platforms aligned with its values. Samiksha outlines, “We will be available on quick commerce, modern trade, and retail. We partner with Nature’s Basket, Food Stories, and Food Square. In terms of quick commerce, we are on Swiggy Instamart, Zepto, our own D2C website, and Amazon. We have been very conscious of how we are going to be seen and where we are going to be seen. In terms of restaurant partners, we’ve been very selective.”
Looking ahead, Bhumi shares ambitious plans for Backbay’s expansion: “For us, HoReCa (hotels, restaurants, cafes) is also very much in play. Our ultimate aim would be that Backbay is available in schools, gyms, airports, colleges, corporate canteens, corporate boardrooms—everywhere.” With several restaurant partnerships set to launch soon, Backbay is poised for fast growth and broad availability.
Currently launching in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, Backbay Aqua comes in 500 ml and 750 ml cartons priced at ₹150 and ₹200, respectively. The sisters emphasize measured growth focused on sustainability and product excellence.
Bhumi’s broader commitment to green entrepreneurship is reflected in her investments in multiple startups championing sustainable business models. She shares, “At the start of my investing journey, I just started as somebody that cared. I was like, how can I empower newer businesses that are aligned with the cause that I’m aligned with? I’m very passionate about climate and sustainability. I have an IP called Climate Warrior that I’ve been running since 2019. This is honestly a part of my being, a part of my life.”
The Pednekar sisters actively manage Backbay, breaking away from typical celebrity endorsements. Samiksha leads daily operations while Bhumi shapes the brand’s vision and strategy. Their hands-on approach reflects a growing trend of celebrities investing authentically in meaningful causes.
Bhumi adds, “To begin with, we want to question the status quo, we want to break stereotypes because we usually see men in boardrooms. So first, let’s bring the change there. When you have a platform, you can influence people the right way.” She highlights the strengths women bring to business: “Women are extremely hardworking. Many times, people say, ‘Oh, don’t make this into a conversation about gender.’ But it is. Women can multitask, we are vulnerable, and we have the ability to think ten steps ahead because of our generational conditioning. It’s part of our DNA, and empathy is our superpower.”
The sisters envision Backbay evolving beyond water into a comprehensive beverage brand. Bhumi reveals, “From just being a water brand, we want to be a beverage brand. The company has two additional product lines in R&D, focusing on products ‘free of nasties, free of sugar-laden drinks, free of toxic chemicals.'” This expansion stays true to the brand’s mission of offering healthy, sustainable drink options.
Backbay stands as a premium, conscientious choice for consumers who want hydration that supports both their wellness and the planet. With a foundation rooted in environmental responsibility and quality, Backbay aims to inspire healthier lifestyles and greener habits across India.
Despite its eco-friendly vision and premium positioning, Backbay Aqua’s pricing has stirred debate online. With 500 ml cartons priced at ₹150 and 750 ml at ₹200, many internet users criticized the brand for calling it “accessible,” sparking memes and trolling across social platforms. However, the Pednekar sisters have stood firm, emphasizing that Backbay bridges the gap between low-cost plastic bottles and ultra-luxury glass-packaged water—reflecting their commitment to sustainability and premium quality despite online skepticism.
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