India’s entertainment icons are now doubling as venture capitalists, channeling their star power and funds into a burgeoning esports and gaming ecosystem. Leading names from Bollywood and cricket have announced high-profile investments and strategic partnerships, underscoring gaming’s rapid ascent to mainstream prominence.
Tiger Shroff’s Strategic Play in Revenant Esports
Action superstar Tiger Shroff has made a “strategic investment” in Revenant Esports, one of India’s fastest-growing competitive gaming outfits. The undisclosed sum will bolster team rosters across titles such as Valorant, Battlegrounds Mobile India, and Apex Legends, while expanding content-creation initiatives and bootcamp facilities. A self-confessed gamer, Shroff hailed the move as an opportunity to “experience and drive meaningful growth in the sector” alongside Revenant’s founder, Rohit Jagasia.
Virat Kohli Stakes a Claim in Mobile Premier League
Cricket captain Virat Kohli has taken equity in Mobile Premier League (MPL), India’s leading mobile gaming platform, which offers a spectrum of casual and fantasy sports contests. MPL’s tie-ups with marquee sports leagues and its multilingual interface have attracted over 100 million registered users. Kohli’s stake aims to leverage his massive fanbase to amplify user engagement and brand visibility, reflecting a broader trend of cricketers backing gaming ventures.
Ranveer Singh Joins Hands with 99Games
Bollywood’s style maverick Ranveer Singh has partnered with Bengaluru-based 99Games, a developer known for strategy and war-game titles. Singh will collaborate on content-marketing campaigns and community events, lending creative direction to new game concepts. The alliance seeks to merge Singh’s youthful appeal with 99Games’ technical expertise, targeting India’s 600 million-strong gamer population.
Sachin Tendulkar Enters as Angel Investor at JetSynthesys
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has expanded his portfolio into gaming and esports by investing in JetSynthesys, a digital entertainment conglomerate with stakes in esports teams and gaming IPs. Tendulkar’s capital infusion will support JetSynthesys’ plans to launch competitive leagues and develop proprietary mobile games. The partnership underscores the blend of sporting credibility and tech-driven innovation fueling India’s gaming landscape.
Celebrity Capital Accelerates Industry Growth
Industry observers attribute this celebrity influx to gaming’s rapid market expansion. The Indian gaming sector generated over $3 billion in revenue in 2023 and is projected to exceed $7 billion by 2028, driven by smartphone proliferation and affordable internet. Celebrity investments confer not only financial backing but also heightened media attention, accelerating user acquisition for startups.
Ecosystem Impact and Future Outlook
Early-stage gaming companies are leveraging celebrity partnerships to secure follow-on funding and attract global publishers. With marquee names on board, ventures such as Revenant Esports and MPL have secured additional VC backing, signaling investor confidence. Analysts predict more collaborations across AR/VR gaming, NFT-based titles, and localized content tailored for regional languages.
As celebrities transcend endorsement roles to become active investors, they are reshaping India’s gaming narrative. Their involvement validates the sector’s commercial viability and cultural relevance, suggesting an era where film, sport, and gaming coexist at the highest echelons of entertainment.
By – Sonali