Pankaj Bansal, the dynamic promoter of M3M and founder of Smartworld, represents a new generation of Indian entrepreneurs reshaping the country’s global economic identity. Strategic, bold, and deeply connected, he has rapidly emerged as a leading voice in Indian real estate. His recent presence in the United States, where he held prominent meetings with Usha Vance, Second Lady of the United States, as well as Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, is further evidence of his growing stature on the world stage.
The Gurgaon Success Story That’s Turning Global Heads
Bansal’s U.S. visit was more than symbolic; it was anchored in the remarkable success of the Trump Residences in Gurgaon, launched under his Smartworld brand. The project sold out in a record-breaking 24 hours, cementing its status as one of the most successful branded luxury real estate launches in Indian history. This marks Bansal’s second Trump development in Gurgaon; the first is now nearing completion. With two such projects in a single city, Gurgaon now stands alongside New York as the only global city to host two Trump-branded towers—a remarkable feat that speaks to Bansal’s execution ability and international credibility.
Founded just 15 years ago by Group Chairman Basant Bansal, M3M has quickly risen to become a leader in Indian real estate. Pankaj Bansal’s meetings with the Trump family not only reaffirm his place on the global business stage, but also reflect his ability to deliver marquee international partnerships with credibility and speed. These meetings are far from ceremonial—they are a testament to real execution, unmatched delivery, and sustained quality.
The Visionary Builder: Strategy Meets Delivery
Pankaj Bansal is not your conventional real estate promoter. As the founder of Smartworld Developers, he has introduced a refreshing, millennial-focused, design-led approach to residential housing, targeting the next generation of Indian homeowners with global sensibilities.
Under his leadership, Smartworld has become synonymous with fast-track delivery, premium urban planning, and deep brand integration, and is seen by many as one of the most agile and responsive developers in NCR. Colleagues often describe him as a visionary with a financier’s discipline and a marketer’s instinct, equally fluent in land strategy and customer experience.
Legal Vindication: A Family Stands Tall
The Bansal family’s entrepreneurial journey, though inspiring, has not been without its trials. In 2023, Pankaj Bansal, his father Basant Bansal, and uncle Roop Bansal were arrested in connection with an ED investigation—an episode that dominated national headlines.
However, in a powerful affirmation of their legal position, the Supreme Court of India declared the arrests of Pankaj and Basant Bansal as illegal, citing gross procedural violations and infringement of constitutional safeguards. Further, the Punjab & Haryana High Court ruled Roop Bansal’s arrest illegal as well, completing the family’s legal vindication across jurisdictions.
These rulings did more than clear their names—they reestablished the principles of due process and sent a strong message about the importance of judicial oversight. For the Bansals, it marked a turning point: a reaffirmation of integrity, a restoration of dignity, and the beginning of a renewed chapter focused on growth, governance, and impact.
Beyond Business: The M3M Family’s Commitment to Social Impact
While the M3M family’s meteoric rise in real estate is widely chronicled, less known—but equally significant—are their philanthropic efforts. While Pankaj Bansal reshapes skylines, his sister Payal Kanodia, daughter of Basant Bansal, leads the M3M Foundation, the group’s social impact arm. She has also served as the Chairperson of FICCI YFLO (Young FICCI Ladies Organisation), a premier platform that nurtures leadership and entrepreneurship among young Indian women—a role that further reflects her commitment to empowering others, especially at the grassroots.
Today, the M3M Foundation has emerged as a credible institution driving real change.
Under Payal Kanodia’s stewardship, the Foundation has touched over 100,000 lives through initiatives spanning healthcare, education, skill-building, and sustainable development. Her leadership has drawn recognition from both Indian and international bodies, including Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who acknowledged the Foundation’s unique Himalayan sustainability initiatives in Ladakh.
On May 28, 2025, Payal Kanodia was conferred the ‘Custodian of Humanity Award’, recognizing her pioneering work in delivering equitable access to health and opportunity in underserved regions.
M3M Foundation’s flagship mobile health initiative alone has touched 10,000+ underserved individuals across rural India. Beyond healthcare, M3M via its Foundation runs structured programs for education, entrepreneurship, and livelihood generation—aimed at empowering India’s youth and migrant populations.
An Indian Legacy with Global Ambition
The M3M family — Pankaj Bansal, Basant Bansal, Roop Bansal, and Payal Kanodia — reflects the evolution of a family enterprise that now plays on a national and global canvas. Their journey, from Gurgaon to Washington, tells a larger story of modern Indian entrepreneurship: resilient, responsive, and rooted in both ambition and accountability.
As Pankaj Bansal continues to ink global partnerships and execute at scale, and as Payal Kanodia strengthens the group’s philanthropic mission, the M3M family is creating not just buildings, but a legacy.
A legacy defined not only by what they’ve built, but by what they’ve overcome.
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