Mumbai: Indian cricketing legend MS Dhoni has invested in Kuku, India’s leading mobile-first, AI-driven premium storytelling platform, and has also come on board as the brand ambassador for its premium shorts and drama app, Kuku TV.
Kuku operates a suite of storytelling apps including Kuku TV for microdramas, Kuku FM for audio storytelling, and Guru for edutainment. The company has also recently expanded into theatrical releases.
Founded in 2018 by IIT alumni and Forbes 30 Under 30 honorees Lal Chand Bisu, Vinod Kumar Meena, and Vikas Goyal, Kuku has scaled to over 350 million installs across its apps. The platform hosts a library of 20,000+ titles across 7+ languages and multiple genres, with several shows crossing 100 million views.
Commenting on the partnership, MS Dhoni said, “I chose to invest in Kuku, and also come on board as the ambassador for Kuku TV, because the platform really stood out to me. It has built a differentiated entertainment experience for audiences across India, spanning multiple languages and formats. The growth has been impressive, and I connect strongly with the founders, who come from small towns like mine and have built something of this scale. I believe in their vision of building an AI-driven storytelling platform from Bharat, for Bharat, and for the world.”
Lal Chand Bisu, Co-founder and CEO of Kuku, said, “MS Dhoni is known for backing bold decisions that others might hesitate to take. At Kuku, we are also taking bold bets. That spirit of unconventional thinking resonates deeply with us.” Vinod Kumar Meena, Co-founder and COO of Kuku, added, “Our beloved Thala is one of the rare personalities with truly nationwide appeal. As we build Kuku for all of India, that connection makes him a natural fit for us.” Vikas Goyal, Co-founder and CTO of Kuku, said, “MSD has a unique understanding of people. As we build for both creators and consumers, that perspective will be incredibly valuable, especially as we continue strengthening our AI-driven storytelling stack.”
Panthera Peak Capital’s Managing Director Nikhil Bhandarkar added, “Kuku’s vision, execution, and clarity of thought are exceptional – qualities that closely mirror MS Dhoni’s approach. We are excited to partner with the team as they build Kuku into a global entertainment platform.”
As part of the partnership, Kuku TV launched the campaign #DhoniWatchesKukuTV, anchored by a brand film built around the line “aap Mahi ko dekhte ho, aur Mahi Kuku TV ko.” The campaign playfully builds on Dhoni’s instinctive decision-making, bringing alive the idea of compelling, high-quality stories delivered in just two minutes. The film has been widely admired by fans and users, while also drawing strong appreciation from marketers for its sharp insight and execution.
