‘Aishwarya and I Started Dating Here’: Abhishek Bachchan Reveals the Emotional Reason Jaipur Became His Pink Panthers Home…

For Abhishek Bachchan, the Jaipur Pink Panthers are much more than a sports franchise.

When the actor entered the world of sports ownership in 2014 by becoming one of the original franchise owners in the Pro Kabaddi League, he could have chosen a team based purely on business calculations. Instead, he picked Jaipur — a city that already had a special place in his personal and professional journey.

Speaking to Sanjeev Krishnan, Chairperson of PwC India, on the podcast Future Unplugged, Abhishek opened up about the personal story behind his decision to buy the Jaipur franchise.

Why Did Abhishek Bachchan Choose Jaipur?

The answer goes back to some of the most important moments of Abhishek’s early career and personal life.

Jaipur was one of the locations where Abhishek shot his debut film, ‘Refugee’. But there was another, far more personal reason for choosing the city — it was also where his relationship with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan began.

Explaining his choice, Abhishek said Jaipur felt like an auspicious place to begin something new because of its connection to both his career and his relationship.

For the actor, the franchise therefore had an emotional foundation even before the team played its first match.

There’s a Personal Story Behind the ‘Pink Panthers’ Name Too

The emotional connection does not stop with Jaipur.

Abhishek revealed that even the team’s name, Jaipur Pink Panthers, has a family connection.

At the time, his daughter Aaradhya Bachchan loved the colour pink. Meanwhile, the “Pink Panther” reference was inspired by Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s appearance in the 2009 Hollywood film ‘The Pink Panther 2’.

Abhishek even pointed out a small detail in the team’s branding that carries a personal touch — the Pink Panther logo has blue-green eyes resembling those of his wife.

So, from the city to the team name and even its visual identity, Abhishek’s franchise carries several reminders of his family.

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Jaipur Pink Panthers: From a New Venture to a Sporting Legacy

The Jaipur Pink Panthers were established in 2014 as one of the eight original franchises of the Pro Kabaddi League.

For Abhishek, what began as an unconventional investment eventually developed into a long-term association with Indian sport.

His sporting interests have also extended beyond kabaddi. He is associated with Chennaiyin FC in the Indian Super League and has been involved with the European T20 Premier League.

His journey as a sports owner has therefore grown considerably since he first entered kabaddi more than a decade ago.

Abhishek Bachchan’s Next Big Screen Appearance

Away from sports, Abhishek Bachchan is preparing for another major project.

The actor will reportedly be seen in ‘King’, starring Shah Rukh Khan, which is scheduled to arrive in cinemas during the Christmas 2026 period.

Abhishek is reportedly set to play the antagonist in the action entertainer, which also features Deepika Padukone, Jackie Shroff, Suhana Khan, Anil Kapoor, Arshad Warsi and Raghav Juyal, among others.

For now, though, his latest revelation has offered fans something far more personal — the story of how a city connected to his first film and his relationship with Aishwarya eventually became the home of his beloved Pink Panthers.

For Abhishek, Jaipur was never just a location. It was where several chapters of his life began… and that connection eventually found its way into sport.