As the excitement around IPL 2025 reaches fever pitch, fantasy sports giant Dream11 has rolled out one of its most ambitious marketing campaigns to date. In an unprecedented move, the platform brought together Bollywood titans Aamir Khan and Ranbir Kapoor for a high-energy, banter-filled advertising campaign that has quickly become the talk of both cricket fans and cinema lovers.

Titled “Aapki Team Mein Kaun?” the campaign features a dramatic and humorous face-off between the two megastars, each defending his fantasy cricket team and taking sly jabs at the other. The ad blends the thrill of fantasy cricket with the glamour and charisma of Bollywood, setting a new standard for IPL-related brand campaigns.

🎬 The Creative Concept: ‘Clash of Titans’
The central theme of the campaign is built around friendly rivalry. Aamir and Ranbir, each claiming to have the superior Dream11 fantasy team, trade clever barbs as they attempt to outwit one another in a stylized, almost theatrical setting. The tone is lighthearted and witty, but the execution is high-concept and cinematic.

The actors aren’t alone in this spectacle. Real-life cricket legends including Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, and Shikhar Dhawan make cameo appearances, further blurring the lines between reel and real as they playfully side with the celebrity captains.

This unique collaboration of cinema and sport enhances Dream11’s brand narrative—it’s not just a fantasy game, it’s a game of pride, wit, and strategy, played by everyone from Bollywood royalty to India’s top cricketers.

🎥 Production & Direction: A Blockbuster Behind the Scenes
The ad film was directed by Nitesh Tiwari, known for helming cinematic hits like Dangal and Chhichhore. Under his direction, the film delivers the perfect mix of drama, humor, and star power. The campaign was conceptualized by Tilt Brand Solutions in partnership with ZeroFifty, and produced by EarthSky Pictures.

The shoot was conducted over a span of five days at Film City in Mumbai, with large-scale sets designed to mirror both fantasy cricket stadiums and stylish Bollywood backdrops. The attention to detail and production value make the ad feel more like a movie trailer than a typical IPL commercial.

💰 The ₹25 Crore Campaign Budget: A Strategic Splurge
This high-octane campaign came with a massive price tag of ₹25 crore, a testament to Dream11’s commitment to owning the IPL season.

Ranbir Kapoor was paid ₹10 crore

Aamir Khan earned ₹8 crore

The remaining ₹7 crore went into production design, direction, set creation, post-production, and promotional activities

This is a significant investment even by IPL advertising standards, but Dream11 is betting big on the return on engagement and brand visibility that comes with such an A-list collaboration.

🎯 Brand Strategy: Why Dream11 Went Big This Year
For Dream11, IPL season is more than just a sporting event—it’s a golden marketing window that commands the attention of over 600 million cricket fans across India. In recent years, Dream11 has cemented its leadership in the fantasy sports space, but with new competitors constantly entering the market, the brand needed a bold campaign to solidify its dominance.

By choosing Aamir and Ranbir—two stars known for their fan loyalty, versatility, and cross-generational appeal—Dream11 smartly amplified its messaging. The campaign doesn’t just promote the app; it turns it into a stage for strategic rivalry and national participation.

Moreover, the storyline of team selection and one-upmanship echoes the very essence of fantasy cricket: building your dream team, outsmarting your peers, and claiming bragging rights.

📈 Audience Reception & Cultural Impact
The ad was released just ahead of the IPL’s opening match and has already gone viral across social media platforms, with memes, reaction videos, and fantasy team comparisons flooding Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

Cricket fans have praised the clever scripting and humorous tone, while film buffs are thrilled to see Aamir and Ranbir—two actors who rarely appear in ads—share screen space in such an entertaining way. The campaign has successfully merged India’s two biggest passions: cinema and cricket, in a way that feels organic, fun, and immensely watchable.

🧠 The Takeaway: A Masterclass in Moment Marketing
Dream11’s IPL 2025 campaign is a prime example of moment marketing done right. By tapping into the IPL craze and pairing it with high-voltage Bollywood star power, the brand has managed to create not just an ad, but an event in itself.

From execution to casting, budget to buzz, the campaign delivers on every front and shows that in the age of short attention spans, smart storytelling still wins hearts—and screen time.

As Aamir and Ranbir continue to roast each other in future ad drops and social media teasers, fans will eagerly watch how this onscreen rivalry unfolds. One thing is certain: Dream11 has already won this IPL, at least in the marketing arena.

Author: Avyukt Kalita