Former Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Lalit Modi has revealed how Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan was persuaded to become a franchise owner during the league’s formative years, despite initially expressing hesitation over the financial commitment involved. Speaking in a recent interview, Modi recalled that convincing high-profile personalities to invest in the tournament was a crucial part of establishing the IPL as a commercially viable and widely appealing sporting competition.

According to Modi, the idea of involving Shah Rukh Khan gained momentum after he witnessed the actor’s immense popularity during an international cricket match in Jaipur. At the time, Modi was serving as vice-president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). He said the crowd's reaction to Shah Rukh's presence was extraordinary, with the actor drawing as much attention as the cricket itself. The experience convinced Modi that celebrity involvement could significantly enhance the league’s visibility and appeal.

Modi said that when discussions began regarding franchise ownership, Shah Rukh initially expressed concerns about the investment required. Recalling their conversation, Modi said the actor viewed the proposed amount as a substantial portion of his personal savings and was uncertain about committing such a large sum to a new sporting venture. At that stage, the IPL was still an untested concept, and potential investors were weighing both the risks and opportunities associated with the project.

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Despite his reservations, Shah Rukh eventually agreed to join the league and became a co-owner of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The franchise was established with Shah Rukh as one of its principal faces alongside actress Juhi Chawla and businessman Jay Mehta. Over the years, KKR has developed into one of the IPL’s most recognized and commercially successful teams, supported by a large fan base in India and abroad.

The IPL has since evolved into one of the world's most valuable sporting leagues, generating significant revenues through broadcasting rights, sponsorship agreements, franchise valuations, and global fan engagement. Celebrity ownership played an important role in the league’s early growth, helping attract attention beyond traditional cricket audiences and contributing to the tournament’s widespread popularity.

Modi’s remarks provide a glimpse into the IPL’s early development and the efforts made to secure influential investors during its launch phase. The success of franchises such as Kolkata Knight Riders has often been cited as evidence of the league’s unique blend of sport, entertainment, and business. Shah Rukh Khan’s eventual decision to invest in KKR is now regarded as one of the defining partnerships in the history of the tournament.

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