Yusuf Bhai opens perfume store in Chennai offering custom blends and luxury scents

Shah Rukh Khan has long been rumoured to smell “superb”. The claim goes back to an old interview where actor Anushka Sharma admitted she could never forget his scent. Naturally, the Internet went digging and discovered his secret: a blend of two perfumes, one from Dunhill and another from Diptyque. The citizens of the world have done everything in their power to obtain these perfumes, so they too can smell superb. 

However, for those with less access to the premium perfumes of the world, many brands have come up with dupes and smell-alikes that just about do the job. But what if you could find a fragrance that did not just imitate the original, but came startlingly close, and sometimes, even better?

Yusuf bhai
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Special Arrangement

That is the promise Yusuf Madappen, popularly known as Yusuf Bhai, has been building his brand on. The Kerala-born, Dubai-based perfumer known for having the ability to recreate any fragrance in the world, has now brought his craft to Chennai. “I want everyone in India to use perfume, to feel confident and happy. It’s not just about luxury. Fragrance is part of daily life. Even the blind can tell if someone is beautiful, just from their smell,” says Yusuf.

Before bringing his work to India, Yusuf established a reputation in Dubai, where his bespoke blends and recreations of high-end perfumes won him a loyal following. The success of his Dubai ventures laid the foundation for his first Indian store in Hyderabad, and now Chennai hosts his second outlet. Both locations aim to give Indian customers the same experience that made his Dubai clientele keep coming back: personalised, accessible, and luxurious in feel without the exclusivity of price.

Single note samples at the Yusuf Bhai store in Chennai
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The Chennai store follows the blueprint of his Hyderabad outlet. The store showcases his three signature collections: Teeb, Dejavu, and Noble. Teeb is the name of the first-ever Yusuf Bhai store in Dubai, and hence the Teeb collection holds a special importance to the brand. Each collection is divided for men and women — silver for men, gold for women, and spans his Premium and Poem ranges. 

The experience is designed to be immersive. Customers can explore pre-made recreations of popular perfumes or dive into custom blending, experimenting with single notes and colours to craft a scent that suits them. The Poem Collection even offers Arabic and French styles, giving shoppers options that range from traditional to contemporary.

Yusuf Bhai store in Chennai
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Born in Chavakkad, Kerala, Yusuf comes from a family steeped in perfumery. His brothers and extended family were all involved in the craft, giving him an early introduction to scents and blends. “I started blending perfumes for my family first,” he recalls, “and then it spread. Now everyone is blending. But I’ve been in the business for over 30 years, and blending for 15.” From photography to perfumery, his journey has been unconventional, but it is rooted in a lifetime of observing, smelling, and learning — a combination of instinct, experience, and passion that now defines his brand. 

At his stores, customers do not just pick a bottle, they engage with single notes, raw materials, and pre-made recreations, exploring and customising scents under expert guidance. Each fragrance becomes a reflection of the wearer, rather than a pre-packaged label. The store is not just a retail space, but a place where scent, tradition, and personal expression intersect. 

Yusuf Bhai is located at Gee Gee Emerald Towers, Valluvar Kottam High Road, Nungambakkam. Perfumes are available starting from approximately ₹1,650 for 50ml.