Cricketing legend Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s family office has made a significant investment in SILA, a real estate platform, despite past controversies surrounding the Amrapali Group. The investment was confirmed in a statement by SILA on March 4, though the amount invested remains undisclosed.
Founded in 2010 by brothers Rushabh and Sahil Vora, SILA has emerged as a key player in India’s evolving real estate landscape. The company is backed by Norwest Venture Partners and currently manages over 200 million square feet of real estate across 125+ cities in India. SILA’s expertise extends to facility management and real estate advisory, having facilitated transactions worth over ₹16,000 crore for both domestic and global investors.
With Dhoni’s support, SILA aims to accelerate its growth, strengthen its network, and expand its footprint across the country. The former Indian cricket captain’s family office highlighted the Vora brothers’ background as competitive squash players for India, citing their discipline, grit, and long-term vision as key factors behind the investment.
Sahil Vora, founder of SILA, expressed his enthusiasm about having Dhoni’s backing. He said, “As entrepreneurs, there is so much to learn from him, and we could not be more thrilled to have him support our journey at SILA.”
Rushabh Vora, co-founder and managing director, added, “His (Dhoni's) support reinforces our vision and fuels our ambition to scale further in the coming years.”
Dhoni’s foray into real estate investments has not been without challenges. His association with the now-defunct Amrapali Group led to legal battles, with the cricketer seeking unpaid dues.
In November 2009, Rhiti Sports Management, which handled Dhoni’s contracts from 2009 to 2015, signed an endorsement deal worth ₹16 crore with Amrapali, with Dhoni serving as its brand ambassador. However, payments were never made, prompting Dhoni to file a petition in the Delhi High Court in 2019 to recover ₹39 crore, including interest. Additionally, Dhoni had invested ₹25 crore in a joint venture agreement with Amrapali Housing in 2011.
Following a forensic audit, the Supreme Court revoked Amrapali Group’s license in July 2019 due to massive financial irregularities, including the misappropriation of homebuyers’ funds. The company’s directors now face criminal charges, including money laundering.
Despite past setbacks, Dhoni remains optimistic about investing in the real estate sector. His association with SILA signals a strategic move towards partnering with credible and innovative firms in the industry. With SILA’s robust track record and vision for growth, the collaboration is set to create new opportunities in India’s dynamic property market.
As Dhoni embarks on this new journey, his trust in SILA reflects confidence in the platform’s potential to redefine the real estate advisory and management space in India. Whether as a cricketing legend or an astute investor, Dhoni continues to make bold and impactful decisions, staying true to his reputation as a visionary leader.
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