Salman Khan, a Bollywood star (pictured), has reportedly taken a 5% stake in India-based travel company Yatra, backed by US-based chipmaker Intel’s corporate venturing unit.
Khan is also set to take a role in the company’s new marketing campaign as Mr Yatra, according to news provider Economic Times.
In January Yatra acquired BuzzInTown for an undisclosed sum, according to news provider PluggdIn. Intel Capital first backed both companies in 2008, when Intel invested $17m in three companies: Yatra, BuzzInTown and local advertising company. Buzzintown, which was founded in 2007, is a user-generated listings business.
Yatra.com raised R200 crore ($45m) from Intel Capital as well as venture firms Valiant Capital and Norwest Venture Partners in April last year, selling a reported 26% stake. Before that Yatra had previously raised R150 crore. Other investors have included Reliance Venture and TV18 Group.
Yatra is thought to be pursuing an initial public offering. In July it reportedly bought venture-backed hotel booking company MagicRooms. MagicRooms previously received R7 crore from Indian venture firm Nexus Venture Partners, according to Deal Curry.
The image of Khan was from news provider Bollywood Hungama.