Abhishek Bachchan reveals why he named his team 'Jaipur Pink Panthers'? What is the connection with Big-B, Aishwarya Rai and Aaradhya?
When the Pro Kabaddi League launched in 2014, most people expected Bollywood stars to back cricket or football. However, Abhishek Bachchan surprised everyone by investing in a kabaddi franchise. What intrigued fans the most, though, was the team's unique name—'Jaipur Pink Panthers'.
In an interview, Abhishek revealed that there is a deeply personal story behind the name. He chose Jaipur because he holds special memories associated with the city. Parts of his debut film were shot there, and it was also where he and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan spent some of their early moments together. Over time, Jaipur became a "lucky city" for him.
Pink was Aaradhya's favorite color
The word "Pink" in the team's name was inspired by his daughter, Aaradhya, as pink was her favorite color at the time. The latter part of the name, "Panthers," was inspired by his father, Amitabh Bachchan. Abhishek recalls that 'Big B' used to affectionately call him "Tiger" during his childhood. Recalling this, he once jokingly asked his father, "What kind of panther are you?" That lighthearted family moment eventually gave birth to the franchise's unique identity.
Abhishek also shared an amusing anecdote from the team's first match. After a loss to 'U Mumba', he asked the players what had gone wrong. Their reply made him burst out laughing; the players admitted that seeing Amitabh Bachchan, Sachin Tendulkar, Shah Rukh Khan, and Aishwarya Rai in the stands had distracted them so much that they struggled to focus on the game.
For Abhishek, 'Jaipur Pink Panthers' is more than just a sports team—it is a blend of family memories, good fortune, and a lifelong passion for sports.