Follow Us;Resize=(820,462) "Sourav Ganguly. (Photo ANI)")
Sourav Ganguly's refusal to join politics puzzled many—until now. As Bengal’s most bankable face, his unmatched brand value keeps him far ahead of
For a long time, few could understand why Sourav Ganguly declined the opportunity to become the face of the BJP in Bengal. Now, the answer is clearer than ever.
Ganguly, known to millions as ‘Dada’, is already Bengal’s most influential face.
In the world of branding, most companies seek a recognisable personality to promote their products. However, the Bengali film industry fails to resonate with the educated urban middle class—the "bhadralok"—many of whom have little interest in Bengali cinema. What does unite them, however, is a shared passion for cricket. Among celebrities, only figures like Shah Rukh Khan or Virat Kohli command any comparable attention.
This is where Ganguly steps in.
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Corporate Bengal has recognized that Ganguly is a powerful ambassador for their products. A Bollywood A-lister could serve a similar purpose, but their fees are often prohibitively expensive. One real estate company did manage to rope in Amitabh Bachchan once, but such collaborations are difficult to sustain. Bachchan reportedly charges around Rs 2 crore per day, with additional production and travel expenses pushing the total cost for a single-day shoot to around Rs 3 crore.
By comparison, someone like Raima Sen might cost a few lakhs for an endorsement. Ganguly’s rates are significantly higher, ranging from Rs 1 crore to Rs 2 crore annually, but still far more cost-effective than hiring a Bollywood superstar.
At 52, the former Indian cricket captain was ranked eighth among top Indian celebrities by TAM Media Research in the first half of 2024. He even outranked Virat Kohli, appearing in 24 endorsements across diverse sectors like real estate, banking, automobiles, FMCG, jewellery, and fantasy sports. Though this figure was three fewer than the same period in 2023, it still cemented his relevance. Only MS Dhoni, Bachchan, and Shah Rukh Khan held higher spots on the list. No other Bengali personality made it to the rankings.
When it comes to national fame, Ganguly far surpasses any other actor or athlete from Bengal.
Television networks were quick to harness his popularity. Zee brought him on board for a reality show, which proved highly successful. While the exact numbers remain undisclosed, industry insiders believe he was paid between Rs 12 and Rs 15 crore annually for that engagement. Eventually, Star entered the scene with a far more attractive offer—estimated at around Rs 30 crore.
Under the leadership of Uday Shankar and the broader direction of Mukesh Ambani, the revitalized Jio-HotStar platform began making aggressive moves in the reality television space.
Ganguly has now joined Star Jalsha, reportedly signing a massive Rs 125-crore deal over four years. He is set to host the much-anticipated Bigg Boss Bangla and a new quiz show, both slated for a July launch—coinciding with his birthday month.
It’s logical to assume Zee attempted to retain him with an improved offer. However, Star's package appears to have been too lucrative to refuse.
While Ganguly climbs new heights, the situation for most Bengali television actors remains bleak. These performers largely operate on modest salaries, with little hope of breakthrough fame or financial stability. A Bengali TV actress was once offered a promotional gig for a silver jewellery brand from outside the state; she demanded Rs 2.5 lakh, while another asked for Rs 7 lakh. The project never took off for unrelated reasons.
One Bengali actor likened TV performers to firefighters—available at a moment’s notice for monthly wages ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.5 lakh, entirely dependent on the whims of production houses.
Lead roles in serials often bring temporary fame, but little long-term value. Once typecast, actors find it difficult to reinvent themselves or transition to films, a path that remains uncertain and inaccessible for most.
Supporting actors—those who play uncles, aunts, or parental figures—typically earn Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 per day, even after years in the industry. Those recognized for their versatility and acting calibre are often hired for brief appearances at a slightly better rate—around Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000 per day, with production houses maximizing their time by shooting several scenes in one go.
The viewer base for Bengali serials, especially those aired on Zee and Star, largely comes from suburban and small-town audiences with limited spending power. The rest of the viewership consists mostly of elderly parents of urban, well-off families—many of whom have little understanding or interest in the content, let alone the actors.
In this landscape, Sourav Ganguly stands apart. With unmatched influence, national appeal, and a marketable image, the question arises—why would he ever need to wade into the messy waters of politics?
