Smaaash Entertainment has embarked on a major expansion planning to increase its presence across nine centres from three now, setting up the country’s largest indoor Go-Karting track, and taking the spread up to 5,00,000 sq.ft up by the year end from 200,000 sq.ft now.

Known for its sports-centric immersive entertainment and gaming centres, Smaaash plans to invest about Rs 285 crore in expansion, which includes Rs 85 crore in the domestic market during the current fiscal and Rs 200 crore in its foray into the Middle East, according to Shripal Morakhia, Chief Imagination Officer of Smaaash.

The first centre initiated by Shripal was after enlisting the support of Sachin Tendulkar, star Indian cricketer and Member of Parliament. Sachin, who serves as a Brand Ambassador of Smaaash, expressed how he was a regular visitor to Smaaash with his son Arjun and select friends for games and some entertainment.

Launching the new facility at Inorbit Mall in IT hub, in the presence of Tendulkar, Shripal said the centre would become a hub for gaming enthusiasts with the powerful simulative technology and by maintaining a balance between virtual and real.

“We will open the country’s largest indoor Go-Karting track in Delhi in October and follow this up with new centres in Noida, Chandigargh and Ludhiana. I believe sky is the limit in terms of what such centres could offer as and when they make entry into new cities,” he said.

As a founder of SSKI, which founded the online broking services company Sharehkhan, in news for having been bought out by BNP Paribas, he says funding is no problem, good ideas get funded.

A relaxed Tendulkar fielded questions and shared some of his experiences and how simulation of bowlers like Muttiah Muralitharan, Lasith Malinga and Brett Lee, was enjoyable when one plays at the centre.

When asked how he managed to face Malinga? Tendulkar said, “It was simple. Instead of looking at his Bal (hair), I was concentrating on the ball.”

Published on August 4, 2015