Salman Khan to venture in smartphones sector with the trademark'BeingSmart'
Salman Khan to venture in smartphones sector with the trademark'BeingSmart'

Salman Khan, the star of such mega hits as Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Karan Arjun and Dabangg, Salman Khan is dialling a raft of investors for his smartphone venture, in which he may take a majority shareholding directly or through his family. He's currently building an operational management team to be headed by a professional with leadership stints at Samsung and Micromax, two top industry executives.

The Bollywood superstar, who owns the Being Human clothing brand, has registered the BeingSmart trademark for smartphones targeted at the entryto-middle market segment. He has also selected the Chinese plant and initial phone models that will run on Android and cost below Rs.20,000.

The top industry executives said, "BeingSmart will be positioned against the Chinese smartphone brigade -Oppo, Vivo and Xiaomi -at a time domestic handset makers such as Micromax and Intex are facing tremendous competition. And, like the Being Human apparel line, proceeds from the profit will be ploughed back into charity and social work that Salman Khan does with his Being Human Foundation."

Salman Khan joins his peer Shah Rukh Khan in branching into businesses other than film production, har nessing their popularity to establish revenue streams in industries as diverse as entertainment, competitive sport, endorsements and branded clothing. The Being Human brand is licensed to Mandhana Retail Ventures, which operates dozens of outlets in various cities selling fashion accessories and apparel.

The BeingSmart smartphones will initially be sold online and later through strategic partnerships with a few large cellphone and electronic retail chains. They may also be sold in Being Human stores. A small group of executives, along with members of the Khan family, are working out the details, the executives said. There was no response to an email sent to Khan through his celebrity management company Matrix.

Another executive said, "But this time, Salman is himself driving the show and searching for an investor. He expects to launch the devices in the next two quarters and definitely before the festive season."

 
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