KKR Mufasa Screening | JioHotstar Collaboration Celebrates Family Time

KKR's Heartfelt Screening of Mufasa: The Lion King with JioHotstar Brings Together Cricket and Cinema

In a unique and touching post-season celebration, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) — the reigning champions of IPL 2025 — partnered with JioHotstar for an exclusive Mufasa: The Lion King screening at their camp in Kolkata. More than just a movie night, this KKR Mufasa screening created a moment where sportsmanship met storytelling, as cricket's stars sat back with their families to reflect, relax, and reconnect.

The occasion, a blend of team bonding and family time, was designed to give the players a much-needed breather after what had been an intense IPL campaign. In attendance were key squad members including Ajinkya Rahane, Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Moeen Ali, Quinton de Kock, Anrich Nortje, and Anukul Roy, along with their families and children. The initiative wasn’t just about a screening — it was a quiet celebration of unity, shared values, and storytelling that echoes far beyond the cricket pitch.

The Voice of Legacy: SRK, Aryan, and Abram Khan in One Frame

What added another layer of magic to the JioHotstar collaboration was the voice cast behind the Hindi-dubbed version of Mufasa: The Lion King, which is now streaming on the platform. Bollywood megastar and KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan voiced the titular role of Mufasa, with his elder son Aryan Khan playing Simba and the youngest, Abram Khan, voicing young Mufasa.

This trio coming together for the first time in a film production — even as voice artists — was an emotional trigger not just for fans of cinema, but for the Knight Riders themselves. The symbolism was hard to miss: legacy, fatherhood, and the passage of values — themes central to both the movie and the sport. Watching SRK and his sons portray such a tale made the Mufasa The Lion King viewing a uniquely poignant moment for everyone present.

Ajinkya Rahane and Varun Chakaravarthy Reflect on the Experience

For KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane, the screening was more than a team activity. “This movie teaches kids about values, respect, legacy amongst other things. So, it was a lot of fun to watch with everyone,” he shared after the event, echoing what many in the room were silently feeling — that cricket, much like life, is passed down in lessons and moments.

Varun Chakaravarthy, accompanied by his wife and son, also offered his thoughts: “It’s a brilliant movie. My son enjoyed it thoroughly. It’s the first time where SRK, Aryan, and Abram are lending their voice together, so cheers to them. They’ve done a great job.” His sentiment captured the general mood — appreciation for storytelling that strikes a familial chord.

Beyond the Field: A Glimpse into KKR’s Team Culture

While KKR dominated headlines throughout IPL 2025 with their clinical performances on the pitch, this event was a reminder that strong team culture often thrives away from stadium lights. This KKR Mufasa screening served as an important checkpoint in the franchise’s journey — a moment of stillness in a high-velocity season.

Binda Dey, Chief Marketing Officer of Knight Riders Sports, put it best when she said, “Watching our Knights unwind and enjoy the film with their cubs was nothing short of magical. It was a beautiful reminder that sometimes, the most powerful moments happen off the pitch.”

And that sentiment resonated deeply. As professional athletes, KKR’s players often have to shift seamlessly between the spotlight and the shadows. An event like this one — designed around warmth and shared emotion — humanized the players and reminded everyone that strength also lies in vulnerability and joy.

The Power of the JioHotstar Collaboration

This JioHotstar collaboration wasn't just a product promotion or media tie-in; it represented the future of cross-industry partnerships. As the digital streaming giant brings international titles to Indian audiences, leveraging IPL’s emotional currency and Shah Rukh Khan’s massive fanbase created a perfect storm of synergy.

With Mufasa: The Lion King streaming across multiple Indian languages, the tie-in with KKR provided JioHotstar a unique opportunity to showcase its expanding family content portfolio. The presence of SRK — a superstar with deep emotional ties to the franchise — only reinforced the credibility and appeal of the collaboration.

The move also reflects a growing trend where IPL teams are becoming lifestyle brands — not just cricketing outfits. They are blending sport, cinema, culture, and community into compelling stories, and this KKR Mufasa screening is a prime example of that evolution.

Cinematic Moments and Shared Memories

It’s easy to overlook how meaningful such moments are in the high-adrenaline world of professional sport. But this initiative wasn’t about match results or media exposure. It was about reflection — for the players and their children, for fans watching from afar, and for Shah Rukh Khan and his sons, who immortalized an emotional fable for millions of viewers.

In its own quiet way, this event also underscored how art and sport are deeply connected by narrative. Whether it's a six on the last ball or the emotional weight of a lion’s roar, both speak to the soul.

As the players return to training, the memory of this evening will linger — as a gentle reminder that legacy, after all, is built both in the runs scored and in the lessons passed down over popcorn and animated kings.