KRAFTON India Unveils ‘The First Cohort of BGMI Rising Stars (2025)’, Empowering the Next Generation of Indian Esports Talent

Rakesh Thapliyal

Kolkata: In a landmark moment for Indian esports, KRAFTON India Esports today unveiled the inaugural cohort of BGMI Rising Stars 2025 program—a flagship initiative aimed at identifying and nurturing the next generation of gaming icons in the country. The announcement was made during the opening day of the BGIS Grand LAN Finals 2025 in Kolkata, one of the grandest stages in Indian competitive gaming, where 16 of the nation’s best teams are battling it out for a staggering ₹3.2 crore prize pool.

The BGMI Rising Stars program is more than just a talent showcase— it’s a comprehensive development platform, designed for young esports athletes to grow, evolve, and establish themselves as mainstream gaming personalities. The eight selected athletes represent not only gaming excellence but also the potential to inspire a new wave of aspiring gamers across India.

Notably, among the eight, Saumya Raj and Samihan Kulkarni , achieved a remarkable feat by not only being named Rising Stars but also qualifying for the BGIS Grand Finals. Their journey underscores the rising tide of young talent that is already beginning to shape the competitive landscape.

Speaking on the occasion, Karan Pathak, Associate Director- Esports, KRAFTON India said, “BGMI Rising Stars 2025 is a celebration of passion, potential, and the future of Indian esports. It’s not just about identifying talent—it’s about supporting it with intent, helping them grow into the next big names in the industry.”

The program will offer these players sustained growth opportunities through deep integration into KRAFTON’s esports plans. Participants will also receive dedicated technical support to enhance their performance and elevate their gameplay—ensuring that every rising star is equipped with the right tools, guidance, and environment to truly thrive.

“For the young athletes, this is not just recognition; it’s validation’. “To be named a Rising Star and also play in the LAN Finals—this is something I’ve dreamed about,” said Saumya Raj. “This initiative is exactly what Indian esports needed—it makes you believe in yourself a little more.”

Samihan Kulkarni echoed the sentiment, adding, “This platform is a gamechanger. It makes all the grind worth it, and now I’m just focused on making the most of this opportunity.

About KRAFTON, Inc. 

Headquartered in South Korea, KRAFTON, Inc. is dedicated to discovering and publishing captivating games that offer fun and unique experiences. Established in 2007, KRAFTON is home to globally renowned developers that include PUBG STUDIOS, Striking Distance Studios, Unknown Worlds, VECTOR NORTH, Neon Giant, KRAFTON Montréal Studio, Bluehole Studio, RisingWings, 5minlab, Dreamotion, ReLU Games, Flyway Games, Tango Gameworks and inZOI Studio. Each studio strives to continuously take on new challenges and leverage innovative technologies. Their goal is to win over more fans by broadening KRAFTON’s platforms and services. With a passionate and driven team across the globe, KRAFTON is a tech-forward company that possesses world-class capabilities and is set on expanding its business horizons to encompass multimedia entertainment and deep learning. For more information, visit www.krafton.com.

About KRAFTON India 

In India, KRAFTON is responsible for premier mobile games, including BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE INDIA (BGMI), which has surpassed 200 million downloads, Bullet Echo India, Road To Valor: Empires, and CookieRun India, among others. Committed to enhancing the start-up ecosystem in India, KRAFTON has invested over $170 million in several Indian startups across interactive entertainment, gaming, Esports, and technology, since 2021. KRAFTON actively supports India’s game development ecosystem through its KRAFTON India Gaming Incubator (KIGI) while strengthening the Esports ecosystem with flagship events like the BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE INDIA SERIES (BGIS) and BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE INDIA PRO SERIES (BMPS). For more information, visit https://krafton.in/