Meet Vijay Kiragandur, The Rs 3000 Crore Visionary Behind Hombale Films & New RCB Owner: Inside His Bengaluru Roots, Rise With KGF, Kantara, Salaar...

There are some journeys that don’t just unfold; they thunder, ripple, and rewrite the rules of their worlds. Vijay Kiragandur’s story is one of those slow-burn marvels. It begins in Bengaluru in the late

seventies, gathers pace through personal grit, winds through the Kannada film industry like a determined river, and then, almost cheekily, leaps into the world of cricket with a surprise twist. Today, Vijay is no longer just the man behind enormous cinematic storms like KGF and Kantara — he is suddenly the face associated with the next big chapter of Royal Challengers Bengaluru. And the best part? None of this was part of some master plan. It’s the kind of narrative that seems to take its time before suddenly picking up speed, and that’s exactly what makes it deliciously compelling. Before we jump into the cricket and crores, the films and fanfare, it’s worth remembering that some of the greatest cultural shifts in India come from people who aren’t particularly loud about it. Vijay Kiragandur is one of them — measured, ambitious without being theatrical, quietly consistent, and always building something that inevitably becomes the talk of the country. If you’re wondering how a man from Bengaluru went from local producer to pan-India powerhouse, and now the prospective owner of RCB, settle in. This is one story worth reading top to bottom.

The Early Spark: A Bengaluru Boy With a Big Canvas

Vijay Kiragandur was born on 3 October 1976 in Bengaluru, Karnataka — a city that, much like his own life, would go through a massive transformation in the decades to come. Bengaluru of the 80s was slower, greener, and full of the kind of neighbourhood camaraderie that often shows up in nostalgic films. Somewhere in that atmosphere grew a boy who didn’t know he would one day help catapult Kannada cinema onto the global map. Few people outside industry circles know this: Vijay did not step into films right away. His journey was not a dramatic “drop everything and chase the arts” moment. Instead, it was the kind of steady evolution that comes from curiosity colliding with opportunity at exactly the right moment. Fun fact: Many of Vijay’s earliest supporters say that he had a knack for identifying stories with a heartbeat long before he ever funded one.

The Birth of Hombale Films: A Studio With a Vision (and a Very Strong Spine)

In 2012, Vijay teamed up with Chaluve Gowda to form Hombale Films — a production house that wanted to do more than merely “make movies”. Their mission was quietly radical: create cinema that makes Karnataka proud while speaking to audiences across India.

Their first outing came in 2014 with Ninnindale, starring Puneeth Rajkumar. It wasn’t a thunderous debut, but it was a clear indicator of the direction they wanted to go. Then came Masterpiece in 2015 with Yash, which began to attract more attention. But the real momentum arrived in 2017 with Raajakumara, directed by Santhosh Ananddram, again starring Puneeth Rajkumar. The film didn’t just perform well; it became a top-grossing Kannada film of its time, earning over Rs 75 crore. By then, people in the industry knew Hombale Films was not here to blend in — they were here to build something lasting.

KGF and the Era of Pan-India Madness

If the Kannada film industry had a “before” and “after” moment, it would be KGF: Chapter 1. Released in 2018, directed by Prashanth Neel, and powered by Yash, the film smashed ceilings, walls, and just about every industry statistic. It became the first Kannada film to cross Rs 200 crore globally. Its successor, KGF: Chapter 2, released in April 2022, shattered even more records. It became the highest-grossing film of 2022 in India and one of the top Indian films globally. Suddenly, every conversation about Indian cinema’s new energy had a Hombale footprint on it. Fun fact: After KGF’s success, several non-Kannada fans reportedly learned a handful of Kannada words just to enjoy the film in its original flavour.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Hombale Films (@hombalefilms)

Kantara: The Surprise Meteor Nobody Saw Coming

If KGF announced Hombale to the world, Kantara cemented their reputation as master storytellers. Written, directed, and acted by Rishab Shetty, the film dropped in September 2022 with modest expectations. What followed was an earthquake. Made for just Rs 16 crore, it earned over Rs 400 crore worldwide and became a cultural phenomenon. Not only did it become the second-highest-grossing film in Kannada cinema history, it also sold more tickets than KGF: Chapter 2. That’s not a statistic — that’s a legacy stamp. Fun fact: Kantara’s success led to several academic discussions on folklore and regional storytelling at international universities.

Awards, Recognition, and a Quiet Man Who Keeps Working

Vijay Kiragandur has won two National Film Awards for KGF: Chapter 2 and Kantara. Yet, ask anyone who has worked with him, and they’ll tell you he’s remarkably grounded — the sort of man who’d rather talk about the next film than the one that just earned applause.

The RCB Twist: When Films Met Cricket

While the film world was celebrating his back-to-back blockbusters, the cricketing universe was going through its own drama. In 2025, Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally lifted the IPL trophy after 18 emotional seasons, led by Rajat Patidar. Virat Kohli, the only player to serve one team for 18 straight years, stood at the heart of this win. But celebrations were cut short after the unfortunate stampede incident in Bengaluru, which led to the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium being banned from hosting matches during the parade chaos. Soon after, RCB’s longtime owner, Diageo India, expressed its intention to sell the franchise. This is where the story intersects with Hombale Films.

Who Are Hombale Films, the Prospective New Owners of RCB?

Reports suggest that Bengaluru-based Hombale Films is now the front-runner to acquire RCB ahead of IPL 2026. As of now, discussions have taken place with Diageo India, although neither side has given an official confirmation. For fans, the idea of a Bengaluru-rooted film house owning Bengaluru’s beloved team feels almost poetic. The production house has already been associated with RCB as its official digital partner since April 2023, so the connection isn’t new — it’s simply deepening. Interestingly, they’re not the only ones interested. Other major players in the fray reportedly include: • Zerodha’s Nikhil Kamath • Adani Group • JSW Group • Adar Poonawalla of Serum Institute But as things stand, Hombale Films seems to be the closest to sealing the deal.

What Is Hombale Films’ Net Worth?

The company’s exact net worth has never been formally disclosed. However, industry estimates place founder Vijay Kiragandur’s net worth at around Rs 3000 crore. Given the success of their films, the rise of Hombale Music, and their expansion across languages including Kannada, Telugu and Malayalam, the numbers aren’t surprising. If the RCB takeover happens, it will mark a fascinating merger of cricket and cinema — two of India’s biggest cultural pillars.

The Road Ahead: A New Era for RCB?

If all goes as speculated, Hombale Films could officially take over by March 2026. Their Bengaluru roots, understanding of local culture, and existing relationship with the franchise may help resolve long-standing issues — including the stadium crisis. This potential partnership brings both worlds together: the mass appeal of cinema and the emotional devotion of cricket. It may also add a fresh layer of storytelling to RCB’s journey — something that fans have always responded to. And if there’s one thing Hombale Films knows how to do, it’s deliver compelling stories with dramatic arcs, heart, and explosive finales.