‘I love sports... and I’m learning the business part’

The environment in the market and among the people is prime right now. That is the best start you can have. You are not up against a system or an audience that does not want to see you. There are always slight hiccups along the way, and that is life.

It is changing now. I was a sportsman in school and college. When I came back and began acting, I remained a big sports fan. Also, I always wanted to get involved in an Indian sport in some way. I love cricket. But I realised that in cricket we are one of the best. For me it was: Can I be involved in a sport that I can make a difference to? Hence kabaddi, and then football.

I think, on a professional front after the decision to become an actor, this is my next best decision. I just love being associated with sports. I am not talking about the business part of it. Being involved in it gives me a lot of happiness.

The business part is a learning curve. The kind of person I am, I like to jump into the deep end with both feet first and learn along the way. The learnings have been immense in the last four years. Kabaddi is a more profitable venture for me and has been so for the last three years. Football is a more expensive sport but we are definitely doing better than expected.

Absolutely. Pro-Kabaddi League is the second-most watched sporting league in India after IPL. It is growing exponentially year-by-year as per television rating. As regards football, can you imagine in season one when everybody thought the sport will not work in India, and ISL became the fourth highest-attended football league in the world. That says something. ISL does not have the best players in the world like the clubs in Europe or South America, despite that you are the fourth most-attended football league. It is a statistic people find shocking and hard to believe.

I think it was a business decision. He is Sachin and we respect everything he does (laughs).

We already have one. Pardeep Narwal. He plays for Patna Pirates in the Pro-Kabaddi League. He has been integral to their winning three titles, back-to-back. Today, he is representing India. I like to believe that it is PKL that has thrown him up. Similarly, Indian footballers are getting exposed to the best talent and coaching available. Recent performance of the Under-16 team is a testimony to this and so is the FIFA ranking of the Indian senior team which has improved to the 90s from 150 levels four years ago.

Actor and sport fan. To run a business you have to love what you do. I love going to the movies, and that is possibly the biggest contribution to my becoming an actor. I am a huge kabaddi and football fan and that is the reason for me to get involved in the sport.

It does. It means something to me. It is not just business. Not just a spreadsheet. If I am passionate and love the team I own, I will find a way to make it successful and turn profitable because it is important. I will not walk away from it.

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