In the ever-evolving foodscape of Kuala Lumpur, where global trends often have a spice of local authenticity, a young woman has carved out a space that speak to something timeless, memory, identity, and home. Dhivya Sree, a 27-year-old entrepreneur, cultural advocate, and creative force, is the founder of The New Madras, a cafe that was once just a dream on wheels. It began as a humble food truck in 2023, but has now grown into a full-fledged cultural hub, serving not only Indian street food but an atmosphere steeped in nostalgia, heritage, and Tamil pride.
Dhivya’s journey is far from linear, she began her journey in the beauty and wellness pace at just 19 years old, launching Dbotava Beauty, an Ayurvedic cosmetic brand inspired by ancient tradition. That venture later expanded into a holistic spa. Her interest however were always rooted in more than just aesthetics, they were grounded in her South Indian heritage, her experiences as a Malaysian Tamil woman, and a desire to create something that genuinely belonged to her community.
A true multi-talent, Dhivya turned conversations into concepts, struggles into strategy, and culture into currency, proving that entrepreneurship doesn’t always need to follow a rigid plan. Sometimes, it just needs heart, and with The New Madras, she built more than just a shop, she has built a feeling.
From Conversations to Creation
Every movement begins with a spark and for Dhivya, it was a deep, personal longing for flavors that felt like home and a space that didn’t just sell food, but emotion. The idea for The New Madras didnt come from a business blueprint. It came from conversation, one that bloomed into something much bigger than expected.
Q: Can you walk us through your journey, how did The New Madras come to life?
A: The New Madras was born out of two things: my deep love for food and the kind of comfort that only childhood friendships can bring. The idea sparked during one of those honest, late-night conversations with my best friend, Thurgesswaran, whom I’ve known since we were kids. We shared a mutual passion not just for eating food, but for recreating the nostalgic flavours we grew up with, especially South Indian street-style dishes that always felt like home.
In 2023, we took a leap of faith and launched a food truck. It was small, the menu was simple, and honestly, nothing was certain, except for our determination. We cooked, served, packed orders, and cleaned all by ourselves, with our family and closest friends standing solidly behind us. They were, and still are, our backbone. By God’s grace, the food truck went viral within just three days of opening. What happened after that honestly felt like a dream.
A year later, The New Madras was more than just a food truck. They opened their first physical cafe. It became a space more than just a ordinary business, it became a spot where people could have fun talks and laugh.
“It’s a brand built from memories, friendship, and the kind of passion that refuses to stay an idea”, said Dhivya.
Building a Cultural Home
While the food truck was meant to serve tea, and short eats, it slowly evolved, organically and beautiful into something deeper. The space, music, language, and decor began to mirror Dhivya’s identity and her cultural inheritance. What started as a casual hangout soon became a symbol of Tamil culture in Malaysia.
Q: Was the idea to create a cultural space always in the plan, or did it evolve over time?
A:” To be honest, the idea started with something simple: to bring the Indian tea kadai concept to Malaysia, a place where you could grab a quick bite, sip on hot tea, and feel like you’re back on the streets of South India.
We wanted to serve good, nostalgic food the kind you’d find at a corner shop in Madras/Chennai but with warmth, speed, and familiarity. But once we got started, something deeper unfolded. People weren’t just coming for the food; they were coming for the feeling. The language, the way we served, the sounds, the smell it started to feel like a space that belonged to the community”.
That space is now a cafe, where Tamil tunes unapologetically, and welcomes customers in our language and offers what is found rare: cultural ease.
Womanhood as Strength
In a world where leadership, especially in the food industry, is largely male-dominated, Dhivya’s journey has been one of standing tall in the face of doubt. Her identity as a Malaysian Indian woman is not a side note, it is central to her story. It informs the aesthetic of her cafe, the way she leads her team, and the vision she continues to build.
Q: How did your identity as a Malaysian Indian woman shape your vision for The New Madras?
A: “Being a Malaysian Indian woman didn’t just influence the vision behind The New Madras it defined it. I grew up surrounded by rich culture, powerful women, and flavors that told stories. But I rarely saw those things reflected loudly in mainstream food spaces here. So I decided to build what I couldn’t find a space that proudly represented who we are.
I wanted The New Madras to feel like home for people like me where you hear Tamil music playing, see traditional dishes served with pride, and experience our culture not watered down, but celebrated in full color.
As a woman in business, I’ve had to push through assumptions and prove myself more than once. But I don’t mind that because every step I take forward makes space for another woman to do the same. This isn’t just about food, it’s about representation, pride, and ownership of who we are and where we come from”.
Her visibility and voice offer something powerful for the next generation, a model of leadership that is compassionate, culturally rooted, and entirely self-made.
Facing The Fire
As beautiful as the journey has been, it hasn’t come without risks or challenge. Managing a viral food truck in its early days brought logistical chaos and emotional fatigue. They had no system in the place, only passion. The long hours, the heat, the customer rush, all of it could’ve easily burnt them out.
Q: What were some of the biggest risks or challenges you faced in the early days?
A:”In the early days, the biggest challenge was simply keeping up with the response. We were incredibly grateful that the food truck took off so quickly but with that came space constraints, huge crowd management, and at times, complete chaos. The food truck was in an open space, so we were constantly at the mercy of the weather. Rain meant delays, heat meant exhaustion.
And on top of that, we faced staff shortages. It was mostly just us, our families, and close friends juggling everything from cooking to taking orders and cleaning up. We didn’t have a big system in place. We learned as we went. Every challenge taught us something. It wasn’t easy, but the passion kept us going, and seeing customers return again and again made it worth every bit of the struggle.”
Her solution wasn’t to step back, but to evolve. Turning the food truck into a cafe gave her and her team space to grow.
Resilience in Real Time
Burnout is almost expected in the hospitality industry. But for Dhivya, her resilience hasn’t born of obligation, it was rooted in something more personal: a sense of purpose. She didn’t want to just survive the journey, she wanted to honor it.
Q: What has the journey taught you about resilience, especially in an industry known for burnout?
A: “This journey has taught me that resilience isn’t about being unbreakable, it’s about bending without losing your shape. The F&B world moves fast. It’s demanding, unpredictable, and relentless. There were days I was running on fumes managing staff shortages, handling operations, juggling emotions all while trying to hold the business together with grace.
But what kept me going wasn’t just ambition. It was for a purpose. I knew why I started, and I refused to let temporary burnout dim something I built with so much heart. Resilience, to me, is the ability to stay grounded in chaos, to pause without quitting, and to lead even when you feel like crumbling. It’s not about doing it all it’s about doing what matters, even when it’s hard.
This journey didn’t just test my strength, it refined it.
Food as Cultural Storytelling
Every dish served at The New Madras carries a story. The aroma of spices, the shape of the utensils, the choice of old Tamil songs playing in the background, it was all intentional. Its not a restaurant. Its storytelling, layered in flavor.
Q: How do you see The New Madras as more than just a restaurant, but a form of storytelling?
A: “ The New Madras was never meant to be just a restaurant, it’s always been a form of storytelling. Every item on the menu, every song we play, every way we serve it all carries a piece of memory, culture, and identity. It’s the story of where we come from… the street-side tea shops, the tiffin centre’s, the smell of home kitchens, and the joy of eating with your hands.
It’s not just about food, it’s about recreating feelings. Nostalgia. Belonging. Familiarity. We’ve had customers walk in and say, “This feels like being back home in India.” And to me, that’s the kind of storytelling that matters most. The New Madras tells a story through flavor, language, music, and warmth. It speaks to a shared experience, a shared heritage, and a sense of pride in who we are”.
This storytelling in The New Madras is something that resonates with a generation of Malaysians, who feels caught between cultures who misses those old memories. From the ritual tea time, or from their grandparents kitchen, its all about bringing you back to the old times.
A Word For The Dreamers
In her own way, Dhivya has become a mentor to many, especially young women watching her form afar. Her message to aspiring creators and entrepreneurs is simple, the conditions may never be perfect, but your intention can carry you.
Q: What advice would you give to someone who has a big idea but is afraid to start?
A: “I stepped into the business world when I was just 19, with nothing but an idea, limited resources, and a lot of fear. So I completely understand what it feels like to be unsure, scared, or overwhelmed by where to begin.
But here’s the truth: you don’t need to have it all figured out to start. You just need the courage to take the first step even if it’s small, even if it’s messy. Waiting for the “perfect time” is the fastest way to let an idea die. The real magic happens when you decide to move despite the fear. You’ll learn as you go. You’ll make mistakes. But if the idea keeps pulling at you trust that it’s meant for you. Start where you are, with what you have. Believe in your vision louder than your doubts. And remember everyone who’s built something meaningful started as someone who was once scared to try”.
Dhivya’s story is a proof that you don’t need to wait to be fully read. You just need tp be fully present.
The Cafe That Feels Like Home
More than just a fining experience, walking into The New Madras feels like entering a curated slice of South India, EXCEPT it’s near you in Kuala Lumpur. The warmth, colors, scent of spices, it invites you in, not just as a customer, but a family.
“When someone walks into The New Madras for the very first time, I want them to feel like they’ve just stepped into a space that’s familiar, comforting, and full of heart”, said Dhivya.
And they have. Dhivya Sree has not only built her brand, they built a legacy. One that feeds both the body and spirit, in a language we all understand. Her journey as a young entrepreneur wasn’t easy, it came with risks, sacrifices, and moments of doubt. But her story stands as a powerful reminder that passion, when rooted with purpose, can move mountains, and that’s truly inspiring.
All information has been provided by Dhivya Sree.
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