MUMBAI: Star Sports, the official broadcaster of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), has launched its latest campaign film for PKL Season 11, featuring Kannada star Kiccha Sudeep. Sudeep the broadcaster explains embodies strength, determination, and the indomitable spirit that reflects the essence of the Bengaluru Bulls.
The PKL airs from 18 October, 2024 at 7.30 pm. It concludes on Christmas Eve 24 December. The season opener will feature a clash between Telugu Titans and Bengaluru Bulls, followed by a showdown between U Mumba and Dabang Delhi K.C. All matches will air live on Star Sports Network and Disney+ Hotstar.
In the campaign promo, Kiccha Sudeep embodies the formidable strength and spirit of Karnataka’s Nandi bull as he faces off against an elephant, symbolising the challenge of the opposing team’s defenders. As the elephant’s trunk pulls him back, each step becomes a test of strength, indicating a fierce struggle between the unstoppable force of the bull and the might of the elephant.
As he powers through, a chorus of “Kabaddi, kabaddi, kabaddi” echoes in the background, fuelling his strength and helping him overcome the elephant’s resistance. This powerful chant signifies triumph in this intense ‘Battle of Breath’. Crossing the end line, Sudeep delivers a victorious thigh-five, standing tall against disbelieving defenders. This sequence looks to personify the unmatched strength and heroism synonymous with Kannadigas, creating a visual of power and victory of the Bengaluru Bulls team.
Through this film, Star Sports looks to weave together local culture and the nuances of the sport of Kabaddi. The goal is to reinforce the deep-rooted connection of the people of Karnataka with Pro Kabaddi League.
Sudeep said, “Having been associated with the Pro Kabaddi League for many years, I’ve seen firsthand how the sport embodies raw power, determination, and resilience—qualities that resonate deeply with me and the spirit of Karnataka. This campaign, representing the Bengaluru Bulls, holds a special place in my heart as it reflects not just the strength of the game, but also the spirit of Nandi, a symbol of power that inspires Kannadigas and fuels the home team’s charge. I’m thrilled to be part of this journey once again and can’t wait to see our Bulls storm ahead with unstoppable energy this season.”
Following the ‘Define Your Team’s Superpower’ campaign, 10 polls have gone live for the Pro Kabaddi League teams, with Tamil Thalaivas and UP Yoddhas being the last and have gone live today, generating significant fan engagement. The combined efforts, including polls, and player videos, attracted 438k votes, 5.81 million views, 7.78 million reach, and 653k interactions. For the Bengaluru Bulls, fans selected ‘Strength’ as the defining trait with 74% of the votes, which became the central theme of the team’s campaign. PKL continues to value the opinions of its fans, making their voices central to team narratives and the Season 11 campaign through this fan engagement initiative.
PKL Season 11 returns with a three-city format. The league will kick off at the GMC Balayogi Sports Complex in Hyderabad from 18 October 18 to 9 November, followed by the Noida Indoor Stadium from 10 November to 1 December, and culminate at Pune’s Balewadi Sports Complex from 3 – 24 December 2024.
