Niantic Announces Ritesh and Genelia Deshmukh as Brand Ambassador of Pokémon Go in India
Pokemon GO collabs, Bollywood actors Ritesh and Genelia Deshmukh as brand ambassador
Niantic's Pokémon GO has announced Bollywood actors Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia Deshmukh, as India brand ambassadors.
Genelia Deshmukh, an enthusiastic Pokémon GO player, made a special appearance at the 'Pokémon Festivities' celebrations in Mumbai, where Pikachu made its debut appearance dressed in a saree, to underline the cultural partnership and her connection to the game.
"This is what the 'Festival of Light' event feels like a beautiful ensemble of tradition and technology. Well, it is just amazing to see how Pokémon GO is celebrating Indian culture in such an interesting and interactive way with Pikachu wearing a saree! Pokémon has always been special to me, and Pikachu is also my kid’s favourite Pokémon. Seeing it in saree is a wonderful experience and being able to share this joy with my family and the world through such an innovative approach is truly exciting," says Genelia.
Riteish Deshmukh echoed her excitement, adding, "As a tech and gaming enthusiast, being a part of the Pokémon GO family comes very naturally to me. Playing the game for so long after it came to India in 2016 and now associating with the brand and promoting it thrills me all the more because it not only encourages fun but also keeps our cultural heritage alive in such an interactive manner."
Yuki Kawamura, Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships and Special Projects at Niantic, also expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, "We are excited to welcome Riteish and Genelia D'Souza Deshmukh to the Pokémon GO family. Their love for Indian culture and passion for gaming just makes them the perfect fit as ambassadors. We are constantly trying to create experiences that resonate with a very diverse player base, and with this special celebration we're bringing something special from India heritage into our global platform."
In addition, Pokémon GO is conducting thrilling Festival of Lights celebrations, including a special event in Bengaluru on November 3, 2024, at Phoenix Marketcity. At this event, Pikachu will appear in a saree, and Trainers will receive surprises and freebies.
A sweepstake on Instagram will provide two winners from India the opportunity to visit the Pokémon GO City Safari in São Paulo.
In September 2023, Niantic added Hindi language support to the game, strengthening its mission to promote inclusion, enhance participation, and allow more users to go on their Pokémon GO journeys.
