Ram Charan takes aim at India’s Archery Premier League

NEW DELHI: Ram Charan, the pan-Indian film star whose performance in RRR helped secure an Oscar for the blockbuster, will be present at  the opening ceremony of the Archery Premier League (APL) on 3 October  at Yamuna Sports Complex in New Delhi. The appearance marks a bold bet by organisers that  glamour can fire up interest in a sport that has long languished in India’s crowded sporting landscape.

The actor, celebrated for powerhouse performances in Rangasthaman, Magadheera and RRR, is lending his considerable star power to the nation’s first franchise-based archery tournament. It is a marriage of precision sport and mass entertainment that the league’s backers hope will transform archery from niche pursuit to mainstream spectacle.

“I am proud to be part of the Archery Premier League, an extraordinary initiative that combines passion, precision and sportsmanship,” Charan said. “Archery is a sport that teaches focus and resilience, qualities we all aspire to. I believe my involvement with APL will encourage the youth to embrace this beautiful sport and support our athletes on this exciting journey.”

An APL spokesperson struck a more ambitious tone: “We couldn’t be happier to have Ram Charan join us in shaping this important sporting calendar that will be foundational and remembered for years to come. Ram Charan brings more than fame—he brings narrative, influence and belief. With his support, APL is not just launching a league; we are launching a legacy.”

The league, hosted by the Archery Association of India, aims to blend high-performance competition with fan engagement, bringing together India’s finest archers alongside international talent. Charan’s recent global recognition—RRR won the Oscar for best original song with Naatu Naatu—adds prestige to an initiative that organisers hope will elevate archery’s profile nationwide.