What began as a Bollywood actor's interest in farming has now turned into a business venture. Varun Dhawan has invested in Better Nutrition, a biofortified food brand featured on Shark Tank India Season 4. He has also joined the company as a brand ambassador alongside badminton star PV Sindhu.
But there is more to this announcement than a celebrity joining a startup. Varun is working with the company to turn his own farm into a biofortified farm, bringing his interest in agriculture closer to the food and nutrition on our plates.
The development raises an interesting question: can improving everyday staples make better nutrition more accessible? Here is what we know about the investment, the brand and the farm project.
The investment grew out of Varun's personal interest in farming. After acquiring agricultural land, the actor began exploring soil health, seeds and the nutritional quality of the crops grown on his farm.
His conversations with the brand founders Prateek Rastogi and Aishwarya Bhatnagar introduced him to the company's approach to biofortification. He subsequently decided to invest in the business and become involved in its mission.
Sharing the news on Instagram, Varun wrote, “So… turns out farming was only the beginning. I realised nutrition could be a bigger part of the journey.”
He also described the association as personal, saying he wanted to contribute to the brand beyond a conventional endorsement.
As reported by Moneycontrol, he said, “We're working together to make my farm biofortified. And yeah, Better Nutrition is my brand now too.”
The investment amount and equity stake have not been disclosed in the reports reviewed.
Founded by Prateek Rastogi and Aishwarya Bhatnagar, Better Nutrition focuses on improving the nutritional composition of everyday staples.
Its product range includes atta, dal, rice and millets. The idea is simple: instead of asking consumers to completely change their eating habits, the company wants to make familiar foods more nutritious.
According to brand's official website, the company uses biofortified seeds, soil science and crop testing to develop staples with higher levels of selected nutrients.
It claims that some products can contain up to twice the levels of certain essential nutrients, including iron and zinc, compared with conventional varieties. This is a company-reported claim; actual nutrient levels vary by product and should be checked against the relevant test reports.
The brand's approach starts at the farm rather than relying only on nutrients added during food processing.
Biofortification improves the nutritional content of crops as they grow. It can involve selecting crop varieties with higher nutrient levels and using agricultural practices that help plants absorb essential minerals from the soil.
This differs from conventional food fortification, which adds nutrients during manufacturing.
For example, wheat grown using a biofortification approach may contain more iron than a conventional variety. If the resulting flour retains that nutritional advantage, it could contribute more iron to a person's diet. The actual benefit depends on the product, preparation and overall diet.
Better Nutrition says it uses X-ray fluorescence (XRF) technology to measure mineral levels in crops. This helps assess elements such as iron and zinc, although XRF measurements alone do not establish every aspect of nutritional quality or food safety.
Consumers can review the company's published reports and certifications for further information about its testing process.
The practical takeaway is that nutritional quality begins well before food reaches the kitchen. However, biofortified staples are not a substitute for a balanced diet.
Varun's farm project is one of the most distinctive parts of this announcement. Rather than limiting his involvement to funding and promotion, he is working directly with the company to develop his agricultural land as a biofortified farm.
The collaboration connects his interest in farming with the company's focus on seeds, soil health and crop nutrition. It could also give the business an opportunity to demonstrate its approach in practice.
However, the announcement does not confirm that the farm's conversion is complete or provide a timeline for measurable results.
Deccan Herald also reported that the company had invited other farmland owners to apply for evaluation and explore joining its biofortified farming network.
Whether this initiative grows will depend on its implementation, participating farms and the results it delivers.
PV Sindhu was already associated with the brand before Varun joined as an investor and ambassador. His arrival brings another recognisable public figure to the company's efforts to raise awareness about biofortified food.
The partnership could introduce the brand to audiences who do not usually follow agriculture or food technology. However, celebrity visibility alone does not guarantee commercial success.
Product quality, affordability, transparent testing and consumer trust will matter just as much as publicity.
Here are the key facts:
The announcement confirms the investment and ambassador association, but the deal's valuation, ownership terms and financial impact remain unknown.
Varun Dhawan's investment connects celebrity entrepreneurship with a personal interest in farming and the nutritional quality of everyday food.
The next development worth watching is whether Better Nutrition can expand its farming network and demonstrate measurable nutritional benefits through transparent testing. That will matter more than the celebrity association alone.
For now, the farm project offers a practical connection between the actor's new business venture and the company's mission: making the food people already eat more nutritious.
Everything you need to know
His interest in farming led him to explore soil health and the nutritional quality of everyday food. He connected with the company's mission and decided to invest while collaborating on his farm.
The brand offers everyday staples such as atta, dal, rice and millets, with a focus on improving their nutritional composition through biofortification.
Biofortification improves the nutrient content of crops as they grow, using crop varieties and farming practices designed to increase specific nutrients.
The investment amount and equity stake have not been disclosed in the reports reviewed.
Yes. She is an existing brand ambassador, and Varun has joined the company as an investor and ambassador.
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