For decades, the name “Bachchan” has been synonymous with the pinnacle of Indian cinema. Yet, in a candid conversation on the Future Unplugged podcast with Sanjeev Krishan, Abhishek Bachchan revealed that his most enduring work is taking place far from the film sets, in the high-stakes, high-effort arena of professional sports ownership. Rather than resting on his inherited status, Bachchan has spent the last decade methodically building a second, independent identity as a sports entrepreneur—a path he says was never about a quick business return, but about a deep-seated passion for the game .
Childhood Passion to Professional Ownership of Jaipur Pink Panthers in Pro Kabaddi League
Abhishek Bachchan traces his fascination with athletics back to his father, Amitabh Bachchan. “My love for sport was inculcated in me by my father, who’s a huge sports fan,” he noted. Childhood memories involved sitting in his father’s study, surrounded by VHS tapes of boxing legend Muhammad Ali and learning the nuances of global football icons like Pelé and Zico. That passion translated into action when he entered the world of professional sports. His involvement with the Jaipur Pink Panthers in the Pro Kabaddi League began not as a corporate investment, but as a hands-on project. “I never looked upon it as a business,” Bachchan admitted, acknowledging that his approach often baffled his accountants.
‘Future Unplugged’ Podcast – Building Beyond Legacy with Abhishek Bachchan – Episode 10 Part 1 – Watch Video:
His dedication was granular; in the early days of the league, he would move to Jaipur weeks before the season, training with the athletes and personally overseeing their nutrition and daily operations.
Challenge of ‘Non-Cricket’ Sports and Ownership of Chennaiyin FC in ISL
Abhishek Bachchan’s ventures, including his ownership of Chennaiyin FC in the Indian Super League (ISL), have largely focused on sports outside of India’s singular obsession: cricket. He openly acknowledges the difficulty of this landscape. “Everything gets compared to cricket,” he observed. Addressing the growth of Indian football, he noted that fans often unfairly compare the young ISL to European leagues with over 150 years of history. Despite the challenges and the “huge cash burn” required, Bachchan remains bullish. “We have a long way to go, but I firmly believe it will pay off in time”.
Co-Founder of European T20 Premier League (ETPL) in Cricket
The Bollywood actor’s commitment to building rather than simply “owning” is now extending to the international stage. As a co-founder of the European T20 Premier League (ETPL), he is working with a consortium of partners to establish a professional T20 competition across Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands—a move he describes as tackling “the last frontier” for cricket, noting that other major regions have already established competitive leagues/ For Bachchan, the goal is clear: he is not interested in being a figurehead for a finished product. “I like building something,” he said. “Not just being in charge of a well-oiled machinery that is already created for me”
European T20 Premier League 2026 Season Dates
The inaugural European T20 Premier League (ETPL) will be held from August 26 to September 20, 2026. Co-founded by Indian investors including Abhishek Bachchan alongside the cricket boards of Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands, the six-team tournament opens with the Rotterdam Dockers playing the Amsterdam Flames in Voorburg.
As he balances his film career with his growing sports portfolio, Bachchan appears focussed on a long-term vision. He views his work not through the lens of a celebrity side-hustle, but as a deliberate attempt to contribute to the sporting ecosystem. In doing so, he is quietly crafting a second legacy—one defined by persistence, patience, and a refusal to treat athletes and leagues as mere numbers on a spreadsheet.