Ranbir Kapoor bets big on ISL Mumbai team, wants to build football

From being a small photo in the Times of India's sports pages while playing interschool competition football, Ranbir Kapoor is now co-owner of Mumbai City FC, the Mumbai franchise of the Indian Super League.

The team's other owner is Bimal Parekh, ace chartered accountant to the big boys from Bollywood. It is a perfect match. One is the face of the franchise, the other the brain. Excerpts from an interview with the two:

Ranbir, this is your first step into the world of sports business. What prompted the decision and can you explain the nature of your investment?

Ranbir: This is my personal money. But I don't look at it as business. Yes, the investment is from a business perspective. But I am making enough money from acting. I would like to use that money to build football in the country rather than just look at it as a business. Agar hoga, toh sone pe suhaga.

Bimal: Money can be made anywhere but it is what you leave behind as a legacy that matters. Raj Kapoor made millions but what he left behind was a legacy.

Did you speak to film folk who are involved in the IPL for guidance?

Bimal: We have spoken to some people but we are discovering new things everyday.

Ranbir: We go to Bimal Sir everyday and say, "Sir, can we have a budget for this?" So, yes it's like making films.

You are not on Twitter, do you think you need to be to promote the team?

Ranbir: There are other mediums to promote the sport. The quality of football we show on the ground should be our most important marketable factor. Yes, social media is important but I don't need to be on it. Mumbai City FC is on FB, it's on Twitter and Instagram. We have specialists running that. Of course, I would love being a guest tweeter or guest on my team's FB page, where I interact with fans.

You have met several footballers and are Barcelona's Indian ambassador. What is the favourite memento you have received?

Ranbir: I have had the fortune of meeting the whole Barcelona team. In fact my brand managers gifted me that as my birthday present. So I got to meet all of them, but it was my interaction with (Lionel) Messi which was the most momentous. He signed a jersey and a cap for me. Of course, he spoke in Spanish but I was so dumbstruck that I could not strike a conversation with him.

Any moments in the 2014 World Cup that made you laugh or cry?

Ranbir: Germany's 7-1 win against Brazil made me laugh. It was such an entertaining game. Argentina's final loss was sad because I was supporting them.

Bimal, is it an easy decision to step into a business partnership with a star? Ranbir, what made you feel that Bimal was the man?

Ranbir: I am the toughest guy to work with in the industry. And ask Bimal Sir what made him choose me. He comes with so much experience, expertise and credibility, I could not have asked for more.

Bimal: It's easy because we have our clear-cut demarcations. RK will handle the team, marketing and media and I will handle the finances.