Brands
Dream11 ditches betting for banter
MUMBAI: Dream11 is swapping cash contests for creator content. The fantasy sports platform, which once commanded a user base of over 250 million punters, is transforming itself into a global sports entertainment destination. Think less ‘pick your XI and pray’ and more ‘watch, chat, and play for free’.
The new offering centres on what the company calls a ‘second screen experience’. Translation? While you’re watching the match on telly, Dream11 wants you glued to your phone for creator-led watch-alongs, fan reactions, and what they’re rather brilliantly calling ‘banter streams’. Fantasy gaming hasn’t disappeared entirely, but it’s now strictly free to play.
This reinvention wasn’t exactly voluntary. A few months back, the Indian government pulled the plug on real money games for stakes, forcing Dream11 to shut down all its paid fantasy contests.
But Dream11’s parent company, Dream Sports, isn’t sitting around feeling sorry for itself. They’ve been diversifying like a hedge fund manager at a career fair. Their latest venture, Dream Money, is a personal finance app that lets users invest in digital gold, open fixed deposits, and track their spending by linking bank accounts. From fantasy cricket to actual finance. Who saw that coming?
Meanwhile, sister platform FanCode is closing its sports merchandise operation after battling wafer-thin margins and a flood of knock-off jerseys. They’re retreating to focus on content and streaming instead, which is probably wise. Selling authentic Premier League shirts in a market drowning in convincing fakes is rather like trying to sell ice to penguins.
The entire Dream Sports ecosystem is clearly in the midst of a major rethink. The days of relying solely on paid fantasy gaming are over, and the company’s throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks.
Whether sports fans will embrace watch-alongs and banter streams with the same enthusiasm they once had for fantasy leagues remains to be seen. But given the alternative was shutting up shop entirely, it’s certainly worth a punt.
Just not a paid one, obviously.
Brands
Amol Parashar invests in Nisaki Gin as strategic stakeholder
Actor shifts from endorsements to ownership with colour-changing craft gin
MUMBAI: Actor Amol Parashar has taken a spirited new turn off screen, investing in premium liquor label Nisaki Gin as a strategic stakeholder. The move marks a clear pivot from brand ambassador to brand believer, signalling a more hands-on chapter in how the actor engages with businesses.
Best known for his performances in the web series Tripling, the historical drama Sardar Udham, and the streaming title Gram Chikitsalay, Parashar has steadily built rapport with younger audiences. An IIT Delhi graduate, he pairs creative instinct with analytical rigour, and says he prefers partnerships rooted in conviction rather than mere visibility.
That thinking found a match in Nisaki Gin, a homegrown label that quite literally changes colour. The spirit shifts hues when mixed with tonic or citrus, turning every pour into a small spectacle. It is chemistry with character, and a conversation starter in a glass.
“Transformation has always been central to my journey as an actor,” Parashar said. “What drew me to Nisaki was the way it captures that spirit through its evolving hues and layered character. India’s premium spirits space is at an interesting inflection point, and I see this as a long term journey rooted in culture, quality and conviction.”
The brand is built around the philosophy ‘Love Every Hue’, celebrating nuance and layered experiences. In a market where identity and taste are increasingly fluid, the gin’s shifting shades mirror the evolving preferences of modern consumers.
Founder Sanchit Agarwal believes the partnership goes beyond capital. “Amol represents versatility and a strong connect with young audiences, which aligns well with how Nisaki is building its brand. His involvement brings not just investment, but insight as we grow across key markets,” he said.
India’s premium gin segment has gathered pace in recent years, buoyed by curious drinkers and the rise of craft labels. With Parashar now on board, Nisaki appears ready to raise a glass to its next phase, proving that sometimes the most interesting transformations happen off screen.
