Move over seed funding, ‘Speed Funding’ is the new mantra, as actor ‘Kichcha’ Sudeepa shows

Bengaluru: The Indian Racing Festival (IRF), India’s premier city-based motorsport league, has entered an interesting chapter as Kannada actor “Kichcha” Sudeepa has officially acquired the Bengaluru franchise and has launched his racing team: Kichcha’s Kings Bengaluru (KKB).

This move sends out a clear message — that a cultural crossover between the silver screen and the speed track is on the cards, bringing with it the high energy of one of South India’s most celebrated actors into the high-stakes world of motorsport.

The Indian Racing Festival 2025 kicks off this August, with franchise teams from Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, Goa and more battling it out across thrilling street circuits and world-class tracks.

Blending fierce competition with high-impact entertainment, the league positions itself as India’s first true sports-entertainment spectacle.

This season is poised to be the boldest yet — with an emphasis on regional fanbases, celebrity involvement, and platform-building for homegrown talent.

Sudeepa has long been one of South Indian cinema’s most influential figures.

With films that have broken records and transcended languages, he is not just a movie star — he is a symbol of Karnataka’s cultural strength and storytelling legacy.

Speaking on his foray, Sudeepa said: “This is not just another team. It’s an emotion. Racing, like cinema, is pure adrenaline. It’s about timing, control, instinct — and above all, heart. KKB 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.”

With gender-balanced driver lineups, celebrity ownership and national broadcast reach, IRF 2025 is redefining what motorsport can mean in India.