In the bustling metropolis of New Delhi, a tale of cinematic charm and entrepreneurial spirit unfolds with Bollywood megastar Hrithik Roshan and his astute business associate Afsar Zaidi. Together, they’ve bolstered India’s domestic fitness scene, creating HRX — one of the country’s premier fitness brands. Hrithik Roshan not only serves as the face of HRX but is also the co-owner, bringing his star power to the enterprise.
With Afsar Zaidi at the helm in his role as CEO and co-founder, HRX’s trajectory has been nothing short of meteoric. Its revenue has soared, surpassing the Rs 1,000 crore mark, positioning it proudly alongside international behemoths like Nike, Puma, and Decathlon. But what does it take to spearhead such a powerhouse in the competitive fitness market?
Zaidi’s Rise in India’s Entertainment Industry
Zaidi’s foray into entrepreneurship began with his founding of Exceed Entertainment in 2005. Exceed swiftly became a beacon in the celebrity management arena, lending its expertise to icons like Hrithik Roshan, Saif Ali Khan, and Priyanka Chopra among others. Zaidi’s exceptional talent management skills and business acumen have established Exceed as a frontrunner in the Indian entertainment industry.
Further demonstrating his versatile business sense, Zaidi is also a co-founder of The House of Pataudi, the apparel brand by actor Saif Ali Khan—a testament to his ability to intuit market trends and create successful ventures in diverse fields.
Afsar Zaidi’s Journey
From humble beginnings as an employee at Globosport India Private Limited, under the stewardship of tennis ace Mahesh Bhupathi, to founding his own sports management firm Carving Dreams, Zaidi’s ascent is one of confidence and opportunity. It was a confidence that received a significant boost when Bollywood actor Ajay Devgan swiftly signed a contract within moments of their meeting, a noteworthy endorsement of Zaidi’s capabilities.
His expertise saw his ventures evolve into Exceed Entertainment, now considered one of India’s leading celebrity management companies. This success has cemented Zaidi’s reputation as a master talent manager with a potent blend of vision and entrepreneurial instinct.
Afsar Zaidi’s Collaboration with Hrithik Roshan
It’s within the sphere of celebrity performances for high-profile weddings that Zaidi’s collaboration with Hrithik Roshan began to flourish. This association would eventually culminate in a comprehensive business partnership that expanded far beyond their initial engagement.
Early E-Commerce to Rs 350 Crore Turnover
In the early days of e-commerce in India, Hrithik Roshan chose to stride into this nascent market by partnering with online fashion giant Myntra. At the time, this was a bold move for Roshan and HRX, given the uncharted potential of online retailing in the country. However, his prescience paid off as HRX recorded an eye-opening turnover of Rs 350 crore in that fiscal year alone—a landmark achievement indicating the brand’s potential.
Today, after 13 years of growth and evolution, HRX stands as a testament to the innovative foresight of Roshan and the strategic mastery of Zaidi. Their continuous commitment and unique blend of skills have not only navigated HRX through the highly competitive fitness market but also propelled the brand to unprecedented heights. The story of HRX’s rise in the fitness industry exemplifies the synergistic power of star-studded appeal and business savvy—a dynamic pairing that turns aspirations into reality.
