Mortal features with Mandhana in Royal Challenge water campaign

Royal Challenge Packaged Drinking Water has launched a new national campaign, ‘Main Nahi Toh Kaun Be’, featuring esports athlete Naman Mathur, known as Mortal, alongside cricketer Smriti Mandhana, youth icon Rannvijay Singha and rapper Srushti Tawde. Released in Mumbai on December 18, 2025, the campaign positions confidence and personal conviction as defining values for contemporary India.

The campaign reflects a broader cultural shift from inherited expectations to self-defined ambition. Anchored by Tawde’s anthem of the same name, the narrative encourages individuals to trust their own judgement rather than external opinion. The central idea moves from ‘what will people think’ to ‘what do I think’, presenting self-belief as a practical mindset rather than a slogan.

Mortal’s inclusion marks a notable moment for Indian esports. As co-founder of S8UL Esports, he represents a sector that has moved steadily into the mainstream of youth culture. His journey from mobile gaming to representing India globally, and winning the Esports Content Creator of the Year 2024 award at the global Esports Awards, reflects how gaming and content creation have evolved into viable professional pathways.

In the film, each personality is shown within their respective environment. Mandhana appears on the cricket field, Singha is shown navigating youth culture and entertainment, Mortal is immersed in competitive gameplay, and Tawde delivers verses that frame the narrative. These parallel journeys are connected by a consistent emphasis on discipline, preparation and confidence under pressure.

Commenting on the campaign, Mathur said, “Gaming has never just been about winning, it’s about the mindset. Every match is a test of strategy, patience and self-belief. You enter the battlefield knowing anything’s possible if you trust your grind. That’s why ‘Main Nahi Toh Kaun Be’ isn’t just a line – it’s a reminder to back yourself, every single time.”

From a brand perspective, the campaign sits within Royal Challenge Packaged Drinking Water’s ongoing ‘Choose Bold’ platform. According to Varun Koorichh, vice president marketing, portfolio head premium and luxury at Diageo India, the campaign reflects how ambition now plays out across multiple arenas, from sport and music to esports and digital creation. He noted that skill, resilience and self-belief are increasingly seen as common markers of success across these fields.

The brand’s focus on gaming aligns with wider industry trends. The FICCI EY Media and Entertainment Industry Report 2025 states that the number of brands investing in esports is expected to increase from 68 in 2024 to 75 in 2025. Royal Challenge Packaged Drinking Water has already built a presence in this space through initiatives such as a Cricket Gaming Zone with NODWIN Gaming at Mumbai Comic Con 2025, branded gaming nights and collaborations with Indian gaming creators.

By bringing together figures from sport, music, entertainment and esports, the campaign positions gaming alongside more established cultural domains. For advertisers and marketers, it signals how esports personalities are increasingly being used to reach youth audiences at scale, reflecting the sector’s growing relevance within India’s media and marketing ecosystem.