Actor Rajeev Khandelwal Joins Gautam Adani's 'Vande Bharatam' Initiative as Ambassador and Host

Actor and television host Rajeev Khandelwal has signed on as ambassador and host for 'Vande Bharatam', a nationwide entrepreneurship initiative backed by industrialist Gautam Adani. The platform will spotlight the stories of innovators, entrepreneurs and changemakers from small towns and villages across the country.

The hunt will span more than 800 districts across all 36 states and Union Territories, with organisers whittling down entries to 75 finalists who will compete at a special event in Ahmedabad. The competition will culminate in a grand finale timed around Independence Day.

Khandelwal said he was proud to be associated with an effort that gives overlooked talent from India's smaller towns a shot at the national spotlight.

Adani, for his part, said India was never short on talent - what people lacked was opportunity and a platform to show what they could do.

Applications for 'Vande Bharatam' opened on June 24.