Bengaluru: Kannada film superstar Kichcha Sudeep on Friday officially entered the high-octane world of motorsport by acquiring the Bengaluru franchise in the Indian Racing Festival (IRF) and launching his team, Kichcha’s Kings Bengaluru (KKB).
This strategic move blends the glamour of Indian cinema with the adrenaline of professional racing, setting the stage for a bold new chapter in Indian motorsport.
The Indian Racing Festival, India’s premier city-based racing league, returns this August for its 2025 season with five rounds of action across world-class tracks and vibrant street circuits.
Featuring teams from Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, Goa and other cities, the league is shaping into India’s first full-fledged sports-entertainment spectacle. With its emphasis on regional identities, celebrity team ownership, and homegrown talent, this season aims to take motorsport deeper into the public consciousness.
Announcing his entry into the league, Sudeep said the launch of KKB was more than a commercial venture- it was a cultural and emotional investment in the identity of Bengaluru.
“This is not just another team. It’s an emotion. Racing, like cinema, is pure adrenaline. It’s all timing, control, instinct, and above all, heart. Kichcha’s Kings Bengaluru is my tribute to the spirit of this city—its talent, its grit, and its youth. Motorsport is ready for its mainstream moment in India, and I’m here to fuel that fire from the South,” he said.
One of Indian cinema’s most charismatic and respected figures, Sudeep brings with him an enormous pan-India following, cinematic energy, and a strong connection to Karnataka’s cultural roots. His foray into racing adds star power and a regional heartbeat to the IRF, which continues to redefine the way motorsport is perceived in the country.
Kichcha’s Kings Bengaluru joins a growing constellation of celebrity-owned teams within the IRF, which already features Bollywood actor John Abraham representing Goa and cricket icon Sourav Ganguly backing Kolkata. Each franchise brings not only competition to the grid but also cultural identity, fan engagement, and mass appeal that stretches far beyond the racing track.
Akhilesh Reddy, Chairman and Managing Director of Racing Promotions Pvt. Ltd. (RPPL), the organisation behind the festival, hailed Sudeep’s entry as a landmark moment. “The entry of a superstar like Sudeep into IRF is a game-changer. His name carries legacy, pride, and influence that few can match. With KKB, we now have a team that represents the soul of the South—grounded, ambitious, and unapologetically passionate. This is what motorsport in India needs.”
The Indian Racing Festival encompasses two core championships: the Indian Racing League (IRL), India’s first city-based, gender-neutral racing championship, and the FIA Formula 4 Indian Championship (FAIC), a globally sanctioned feeder series that provides Indian drivers with a direct pathway to international motorsport careers.
Led by actor, producer, and now team owner Kichcha Sudeep, KKB will serve as the motorsport face of Bengaluru, blending cinematic charisma with youthful ambition and regional pride. The team is expected to become a symbol of Karnataka’s sporting resurgence and a rallying point for motorsport fans across the South.
Founded by Akhilesh Reddy, Armaan Ebrahim, and Aditya Patel, RPPL continues to build India’s motorsport ecosystem with an eye on innovation, inclusivity, and cultural relevance. The 2025 season promises to be IRF’s biggest yet—racing not just for trophies, but for identity, inspiration, and entertainment.
