Gaming
Gaming giant Nazara acquires Smaaash in a smashing Rs 126 crore deal
Mumbai, India – Nazara Technologies Limited has hit the jackpot, completing the acquisition of Smaaash Entertainment Pvt Ltd, making the gaming and entertainment company a wholly-owned subsidiary. The deal, valued at a whopping Rs 126 crores, sees Nazara solidify its position in the gaming sector, proving it is not just playing games when it comes to expansion.
On 6 June 2025, Nazara announced the successful completion of the resolution plan, previously approved by the National Company Law Tribunal, Mumbai Bench. This means Nazara has acquired 100 per cent of Smaaash’s share capital by subscribing to 1,00,00,000 equity shares of Rs 10 each, costing the company Rs 10 crores. But the fun doesn’t stop there! Nazara also extended an inter-corporate loan of Rs 116 crores to Smaaash to settle its creditors’ dues, showing it is all about clearing the board for future success.
Smaaash, incorporated on 30 November 2009, is no stranger to the entertainment scene, operating gaming and entertainment centres across 11 Indian cities under the ‘Smaash brand. Its business spans gaming, food and beverages, events, and sponsorships, bringing in a turnover of Rs 112.34 crores as of 31 March 2024.
While Smaaash’s turnover did see a slight dip from Rs 120.88 crores in 2023, this acquisition is a clear sign that Nazara is ready to power up its inorganic growth in the gaming sector.
Gaming
Formula 1 and Mumbai Falcons launch India’s first official F1 sim racing championship
Nationwide competition creates pathway from virtual racing to pro motorsport
MUMBAI: Formula 1 has teamed up with Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited to launch India’s first officially sanctioned F1 sim racing competition, marking a new step in the country’s growing motorsport ecosystem.
The championship, titled F1 Sim Racing India Open 2026, will offer a structured national platform for sim racers, with participants competing on the official F1 25 across multiple stages. The competition will begin with online qualifiers, followed by city-based simulator rounds, before culminating in a national final in Mumbai this November.
Open to players across PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox, registrations for the event will begin on 30 April via the Mumbai Falcons app. The format mirrors real-world racing, featuring official circuits, team liveries and competitive structures aligned with the global series.
Formula 1 driver Narain Karthikeyan said the initiative arrives at a time when interest in the sport is surging in India, adding that a structured sim racing platform could help identify and nurture the next generation of talent.
Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited managing director Ameet Gadhoke noted that the championship aligns with the team’s long-term goal of building a strong motorsport pipeline in the country and placing Indian talent on the global stage.
The launch also reflects broader momentum in esports, especially after its recognition under India’s Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025. By bridging gaming and real-world racing, the initiative aims to offer aspiring drivers a credible entry point into professional motorsport.
With interest in Formula 1 steadily rising and conversations around its return to India gaining pace, the new championship could become a proving ground for future racing stars.
