Abhishek Bachchan has built a career beyond Bollywood by investing his time, money and energy in sports. In a recent conversation, the actor discussed his passion for sports, the influence of his father Amitabh Bachchan and his approach to building sporting institutions. From the Jaipur Pink Panthers and Chennaiyin FC to the European T20 Premier League, Abhishek explained why he has never viewed his sporting ventures purely through a business lens.
Abhishek Bachchan says his love for sports came from Amitabh Bachchan
In a candid conversation with PwC India Chairperson Sanjeev Krishan on the podcast Future Unplugged, Bachchan traced his love for sports back to his father, Amitabh Bachchan. “My love for sport was inculcated in me by my father, who’s a huge sports fan,” he said. He recalled childhood memories of his father teaching him kabaddi in their garden and introducing him to global sporting icons like Muhammad Ali, Pelé, Zico and Sócrates. That early exposure, he said, never left him.
Abhishek Bachchan on Jaipur Pink Panthers and his hands-on approach
Bachchan’s entry into professional sports ownership began almost by chance with the Jaipur Pink Panthers in the Pro Kabaddi League. What started as a passion project quickly became a hands-on commitment. Bachchan moved to Jaipur weeks before the first season, trained with the players, monitored their diet, and even helped with the smallest operational details. “I never looked upon it as a business. I still don’t,” he admitted, adding with a smile that his accountant is not particularly happy about that attitude.The same philosophy guided his investment in Chennaiyin FC in the Indian Super League. Both teams, he noted, operate in sports that are not India’s dominant passion, which made the journey more challenging and more meaningful. “Everything gets compared to cricket,” he said. “We have a long way to go, but I firmly believe it will pay off in time.”
Abhishek Bachchan enters European cricket with ETPL
The same belief has now taken Abhishek Bachchan to Europe. As co-founder of the European T20 Premier League (ETPL), Bachchan is part of a group of Indian partners attempting to build a professional T20 club competition across Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands, the last major cricket market without one. “It’s the last frontier,” he explained. “Australia, Africa, Asia, North America… they all have competitive T20 leagues. Europe didn’t.”For Bachchan, the difference between simply owning a team and building a league is significant. “I like building something,” he said. “Not just being in charge of a well-oiled machinery that is already created for me.” He emphasised the importance of putting his own capital in first and attracting owners who share a long-term vision, names like Steve Waugh, Faf du Plessis and Rahul Dravid among them.
Abhishek Bachchan on the difference between sports and film audiences
Reflecting on the difference between entertainment and sports audiences, Bachchan observed that sports fans are “relentless” and “tribal.” Unlike film audiences, who need to be constantly impressed, sports supporters bring a deeper, more enduring loyalty, provided the product is authentic and the intent is clear.
Abhishek Bachchan on not just ‘signing a cheque’
Throughout the conversation, one theme remained consistent: the desire to create lasting impact rather than short-term returns. “For me in sports, it’s about what can I do that makes a difference,” Bachchan said. “Because then I have something to do. It’s not just signing a cheque.”
Abhishek Bachchan on the work front
On the film front, Abhishek Bachchan was last seen as Sambhaji Shahaji Bhosale in ‘Raja Shivaji’, Riteish Deshmukh’s directorial featuring an ensemble cast including Sanjay Dutt which released on May 1, 2026. He will be seen in a high-profile role in Siddharth Anand’s ‘King’, headlined by Shah Rukh Khan, which is set to release on December 24, 2026.
