Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan has revealed the personal stories behind the name and identity of his Pro Kabaddi League team, Jaipur Pink Panthers. What began as a sports investment in 2014 was closely connected to his family, his relationship with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and his childhood memories with father Amitabh Bachchan.
Jaipur Had a Special Meaning
In a recent conversation with PwC India chairperson Sanjeev Krishnan, Abhishek explained that Jaipur was an emotional choice for him. He had filmed part of his first movie in the city, making it a meaningful place to begin a new venture.
The city also held significance because it was where Abhishek and Aishwarya began dating. He said this personal connection influenced his decision to select the Jaipur franchise when the Pro Kabaddi League was launched.
The Story Behind ‘Pink Panthers’
The team's unusual name also has a family connection. Abhishek said pink was his daughter Aaradhya's favourite colour at the time. He also linked the word “Pink” to The Pink Panther, a film associated with Aishwarya.
The “Panther” part of the name came from a childhood joke with Amitabh Bachchan. Abhishek recalled that his father used to call him “Tiger”, and he once jokingly asked his father how he was doing as a “Panther”. That family memory eventually became part of the team's identity.
Amitabh Helped Spark His Sports Passion
Abhishek also credited his father for developing his love of sports. He said Amitabh is a major sports enthusiast, which influenced his own interest in athletics and sporting teams.
The actor was deeply involved with the Jaipur franchise during its early days. He spent time with players, followed their training and even paid attention to what they were eating before matches.
The team's first match was a difficult one, with Jaipur suffering a heavy defeat against U Mumba. However, the presence of major Bollywood and sports personalities, including Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan and Sachin Tendulkar, helped draw huge public attention to the new league.
According to Abhishek, media coverage of the celebrities wearing Jaipur Pink Panthers jerseys helped spark wider curiosity about kabaddi among Indian audiences.
Beyond kabaddi, Abhishek is also associated with football through Chennaiyin FC. He is now also involved with the European T20 Premier League. On the acting front, he is set to appear in the upcoming film King.