Bhumi Pednekar, sister Samiksha launch premium bottled water with focus on sustainability

Actor Bhumi Pednekar and her sister, lawyer-turned-entrepreneur Samiksha Pednekar, Friday launched Backbay Aqua, a premium natural mineral water brand positioned as a sustainable alternative to India’s PET-heavy bottled water market. The brand’s first product, Backbay Aqua, is sourced directly from the Himalayas, the company stated.

Packaged in FSC-certified paperboard cartons with plant-based caps made from sugarcane resin, Backbay Aqua offers a recyclable, heat-resistant, and lightweight alternative to plastic and glass bottles. Designed to withstand India’s extreme temperatures without chemical leaching, the packaging addresses a concern the founders say is often overlooked in the water segment. “Most bottled water in India comes in plastic, and alternatives are either too expensive or inaccessible. Backbay is about rethinking how water should be sourced, packaged, and experienced,” Bhumi said.

The water is sourced from a protected Himalayan reservoir in Himachal Pradesh and bottled at source by a women-led facility, the company claimed. “Originating as glacial melt, it passes through mineral-rich formations, naturally absorbing magnesium, calcium, and potassium. No artificial additives are used, setting it apart from packaged drinking water brands that fortify processed water,” the actor added. 

The brand’s name draws inspiration from Mumbai’s Back Bay area—a nod to the sisters’ hometown and its spirit of hustle and inclusivity. 

Priced at ₹150 for 500 ml and ₹200 for 750 ml, Backbay Aqua sits between the costliest plastic and cheapest glass variants in the premium segment. Launching this month in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, it will be sold via Swiggy Instamart, Zepto, Amazon, the brand’s D2C site, and select retail stores such as Nature’s Basket and Foodstories, alongside targeted HoReCa partnerships.

The sisters’ “follow your consumer” strategy prioritises curated distribution and quick commerce over mass retail. “We want to evolve with our consumers. This is a brand built for the conscious consumer, and their feedback will shape our journey,” Samiksha said. Bhumi added, “We wanted to create something that not only tastes pure but also has a lighter footprint on the planet. It’s about making sustainability an everyday choice.”

For Bhumi, whose investing journey has focussed on green and sustainable businesses, Backbay is personal. “I’m very passionate about climate and sustainability… this is part of my being, a part of my life,” she said. Both sisters are hands-on; while Samiksha manages operations, Bhumi drives brand vision and strategy. Their long-term goal: to grow beyond water into a beverage brand with products free of sugar, chemicals, and artificial additives.

With competition from Himalayan, Bisleri Vedica, and imported glass-bottled waters, Backbay Aqua is banking on its blend of natural sourcing, distinctive taste, and sustainable packaging to stand out in India’s premium hydration space.