Afsar Zaidi started his career working at Mahesh Bhupathi’s Globosport India Private Limited. However, not satisfied with just a 9-to-5 job, he founded his own talent management company, Carving Dreams, in 2005. This venture later evolved into Exceed Entertainment, which today represents some of Bollywood’s biggest celebrities including Hrithik Roshan, Saif Ali Khan, Shahid Kapoor, and Priyanka Chopra.
Co-Founding HRX with Hrithik Roshan
In 2013, Zaidi partnered with Hrithik Roshan to launch HRX, India’s first homegrown fitness and lifestyle brand. At a time when e-commerce was still growing, they placed a big bet by collaborating with platforms like Myntra. The gamble paid off—HRX recorded a turnover of Rs 350 crore in its very first year. Zaidi handled strategy, operations, and scaling, while Hrithik lent star power and aspirational value.
Creating More Celebrity Brands
After HRX, Zaidi teamed up with Saif Ali Khan to create “The House of Pataudi,” a fashion brand inspired by royal Indian heritage. Unlike many celebrity-backed ventures that fade over time, both HRX and House of Pataudi have grown into competitive players, challenging major global brands like Nike and Puma in the Indian market.
A Deep Partnership with Hrithik Roshan
Zaidi and Hrithik share a business relationship built on trust, vision, and mutual respect. While Hrithik is the face of the brand, Zaidi ensures all back-end operations are executed with precision. Their collaboration is a strong example of how celebrities can thrive in business with the right strategic support
The Business Philosophy of Afsar Zaidi
Educated at Sacred Heart Boys High School, Zaidi’s entrepreneurial journey shows that success in business doesn’t require elite academic credentials. Instead, his approach blends bold risk-taking, strategic thinking, and a strong understanding of brand value. Industry sources say his personal net worth is rising steadily into multi-crore territory.
Impact on the Celebrity Business Model in India
Zaidi has transformed how celebrities approach their brands. From being seen as endorsers, many are now stakeholders in fully developed business ventures. Through his ventures, he has proven that Bollywood can create globally competitive brands with authenticity and strategic leadership.
Afsar Zaidi may not be a household name, but he has been instrumental in reshaping the celebrity business landscape in India. Whether it’s HRX’s massive success or the rise of other celebrity-led ventures, Zaidi’s work continues to inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs blending entertainment with enterprise.
