KGF Makers Hombale Films Eye RCB Stake Ahead of IPL 2026

The divestment of the IPL reigning champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) is at full speed, and Hombale Films has become a strong bidder for the stake. The studio, credited with blockbuster films, brings along vibrations that are the most attractive for the bidders.

Initial media reports hinted at a consortium with Adar Poonawalla, CEO of Serum Institute of India, Nikhil Kamath, co-founder of Zerodha, and Ranjan Pai, chairman of Manipal Education and Medical Group (MEMG), who were investigating the purchase possibility of the franchise. Hombale Films' offer takes the competition to a new level in what is going to be a closely watched deal.

As per an insider, “Hombale and Diageo are good business partners and have done joint marketing before. But Diageo has not revealed how much of its share it is ready to pare down or if it will even sell any. The ultimate call lies with Diageo’s global directors and it will thus take a while for the decision to get formalized.”

Diageo, the current owner of RCB, was earlier quoted as wanting around $2 billion (approximately ₹17,775 crore) for the team. However, Poonawalla had raised his doubts regarding the price tag during the discussions.

The main reason behind the fluctuating value of the franchise is unquestionably Virat Kohli. The iconic player who has been the face of RCB forever, his retirement could negatively impact not only the team’s worth but also the entire range of the brand. Analysts conclude that Kohli's departure may lead to a reassessment of the team's perception in the market and the attitude of investors towards it.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), even with the ups and downs in IPL franchise valuations in recent times, is still considered a high-profile asset mainly because of its large fan base and star players. The bidding process saw Hombale Films joining the scene which is a sign of the growing interest from the non-traditional investors in the sports properties even before the IPL 2026.