T oday, Milana Nagaraj ’s collection of gold features some fine pieces of art, but she still fondly remembers the simple gold chain her grandparents gifted to her when she was still in school. Gold, she tells us, was something her family started investing in from her birth.

“In most South Indian families, especially Gowda households, the moment a daughter is born, the family begins investing in gold for her. Growing up, I never paid much attention to gold. It was only once I entered college, when my folks began preparing for my wedding, and buying gold that I truly understood this tradition,” Milana shares, on the ocassion of Akshaya Tritiya .

Now, continuing this tradition, Milana adds that she and her husband, actor Krishna, have started investing for their eight-month-old daughter, Pari. “Krishna has invested in digital gold for Pari. By the time she comes of age, she can use it to buy whatever she likes in the style that is relevant then.” In a conversation with Bangalore Times, the actress reflects on her relationship with gold, its enduring value as an investment, and its significance in planning for her daughter’s future. Excerpts:


‘GOLD IS ALWAYS A SAFE WAY TO INVEST MONEY’

With my first pay, I had got myself a choker worth `40,000. Its value has now tripled. Whenever I’ve had some extra cash, I’ve made it a point to invest in gold. If someone doesn’t have a lump sum to invest in gold, then the monthly gold saving schemes are a great option, too. I make it a point to either buy gold or invest in these schemes.



I remember my mother buying jewellery for my wedding at `46,000 for 10 grams. Today, it is worth so much more. I’m so glad Amma had the foresight to pick up a lot of gold during that time. I think we Indians truly know the meaning of ‘worth its weight in gold’. I truly stand by the age-old belief that gold is always a great investment option. My husband Krishna and I have continued that tradition. Right after my first pregnancy scan, both Krishna and I landed a project on the same day. Given that we were also about to become parents, we decided to invest the money in gold.