Gaming
Tarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashma plans to launch 18 new games in 2024
Mumbai: Neela MediaTech, the gaming arm of the beloved show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah (TMKOC), is focusing on developing innovative mobile games with the aim of making a significant impact in the gaming industry and plans to launch 18 games this year by December 2024. The fan-based gaming platform will witness more games based on the popular characters of the show with an aim to attract 20 million plus monthly active users and two million plus daily active users by year-end.
The show which has a 60 million plus audience base will now tap into the booming Indian and international mobile gaming market with an aim to leverage the massive TMKOC fanbase. With six million plus active users, Neela MediaTech has already launched seven games and are planning to launch 11 more games.
Late last year, Neela Films, the production house of the show, Tarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashma announced their diversification in the gaming, animation, and edutainment space. This move signifies a bold leap having invested Rs 24 crore in Neela MediaTech Pvt Ltd. With their diverse game portfolio and established brand loyalty, TMKOC is poised to become a major force in the mobile gaming landscape.
The new games will be based on the much loved characters from the show including Jethalal, Babita, Popatlal, Madhavi, Bhide and Goli who have been innovatively woven into the games like TMKOC Ludo, Simulation Gada Electronics, Simulation Madhavi Farms, Save Babita Save, Hungry Goli, Popatlal ki Shadi among others. The games will be available across all the platforms Google Playstore, Apple App store, Fire TV, MI Platform, Huawei and many more.
The company recently launched Run Jetha Run, Bhide Scooter Race, Match Pool 2048, Popat Shortcut Race, Jump Bhide Jump, Taarak Fruit Match and have already boasted a following of 6 million active users in a short span of time. The IP has a strong and loyal following for the show aired on Sony Sab and recently completed 4000 episodes over the last 15 years.
“Our vision is to blend the charm of TMKOC’s characters with innovative gaming experiences, aiming to captivate not only our existing fan base but also new audiences globally. This is more than a business expansion; it’s about creating a virtual playground where millions can find joy, adventure, and a sense of community. As we gear up to launch our diverse range of games, we’re not just promising fun; we’re inviting players to become part of a story that continues to unfold, making them active participants in the TMKOC saga. With the support of our fans and the hard work of our team, we’re set to make a mark on the global gaming stage.” said Harjeet Chhabra; who is leading this initiative along with the creator of the show, Asit Kumarr Modi.
Gaming
Dream Sports sees 100 plus exits after gaming ban forces overhaul
Company splits into eight units as real money gaming law hits revenue.
MUMBAI: For a company built on fantasy leagues, reality has suddenly rewritten the rulebook. More than 100 employees have exited Dream Sports, the parent of Dream11, after the company reorganised its operations following India’s ban on real money online gaming. The shake up came after the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 came into force in August 2025, prohibiting games where users deposit money expecting winnings. The regulation struck at the heart of the fantasy gaming industry and dramatically affected Dream Sports’ core business, wiping out about 95 percent of its revenue and all of its profits.
In response, the Mumbai based company shifted into what chief executive officer Harsh Jain described as “startup mode”, splitting its operations into eight independent business units in December.
Around 700 employees were reassigned across these newly formed ventures based on their experience and interests. However, roughly 15 percent opted to leave the company.
A spokesperson for Dream Sports said many of those who exited were experienced professionals accustomed to running scaled businesses rather than early stage ventures.
“Since some of these employees were experienced with running high scale businesses and not startups, around 15 percent chose to leave and join other scaled companies or start ventures of their own,” the spokesperson said.
Despite the departures, the company noted that the attrition rate is only slightly higher than its earlier level of around 10 percent before the ban. Dream Sports now has close to 950 employees and is not currently hiring, choosing instead to focus on stabilising its existing workforce.
The restructuring has transformed Dream Sports from a fantasy gaming company into a broader sports entertainment platform. The eight units now operate independently, each focusing on different segments of the sports and technology ecosystem.
These include Dream11, sports streaming platform Fancode, sports travel service DreamSetGo, mobile game Dream Cricket and artificial intelligence initiative Dream Sports AI, which includes sports analytics platform Dream Play.
Other ventures include fintech product Dream Money, open source initiative Dream Horizon and the philanthropic arm Dream Sports Foundation.
As part of cost saving efforts, Dream Sports also relocated its headquarters from Bandra Kurla Complex to Worli earlier this year. The new office, called Dream Sports Stadium, brings teams from its various brands together under one roof to improve collaboration and operational efficiency.
Jain had earlier said the company removed bonus lock in timelines for employees hired in recent years, allowing those who wished to leave to exit with pro rata payouts.
“We want people who are fully into the startup mode and willing to work for it, and we will share that reward if it comes,” he said.
Founded in 2008 by Harsh Jain and Bhavit Sheth, Dream Sports was last valued at 8 billion dollars after raising 840 million dollars in 2021 from investors including Falcon Edge Capital, DST Global, D1 Capital Partners, RedBird Capital Partners, Tiger Global Management, TPG and Footpath Ventures.
The new gaming law has forced several companies in the fantasy gaming sector to either shut down or pivot their business models, signalling a significant reset for one of India’s fastest growing digital entertainment industries.
