Naman “Mortal” Mathur, BGMI icon turned S8UL co-owner, opens up in this exclusive InsideSport interview about Indian esports’ meteoric rise from underground passion to mainstream careers. Backed by Royal Challenge Packaged Drinking Water’s ‘Main Nahi Toh Kaun Be’ campaign, he shares how conviction and mindset have redefined gaming as a sustainable profession. From family skepticism to global stages, Mortal’s journey underscores self-belief’s power in scaling esports empires like S8UL.
Mortal: From Fleeting Phase to Career Reality
You’ve seen Indian esports grow from niche to mainstream. What feels most different today compared to when you started?
What feels most different today is conviction. When I started, gaming was often viewed as a fleeting phase or a side pursuit, not something you could responsibly build a future around. Today, esports has firmly entered serious career conversations. We now have structured domestic tournaments, consistent international representation, and active discussions around multi-sport platforms like the Asian Games and the Esports World Cup. More importantly, the mindset around gaming has evolved.
Families, brands, and institutions are beginning to recognise esports as a credible, long-term profession. That shift in perception has been transformative. Gaming is no longer just about individual skill or short-term success, it’s about building sustainable careers, robust ecosystems, and meaningful opportunities that can last over time.
You’ve always spoken about mindset being as important as skill in gaming. How has that shaped your journey as both a competitor and creator?
Skill can get you noticed, but mindset is what helps you survive and grow. As a competitor, mindset taught me patience, adaptability, and how to handle pressure when things don’t go your way. As a creator, it became even more important because consistency, discipline, and emotional balance matter just as much as performance.
There are highs and lows in both gaming and content creation, and mindset is what keeps you grounded through all of it. I’ve learned that trusting the process and backing yourself, especially during uncertain phases, is what ultimately separates those who last from those who fade out.
You’re part of Royal Challenge Packaged Drinking Water’s ‘Main Nahi Toh Kaun Be’ campaign alongside figures from cricket, music and youth culture. What did being part of this campaign mean to you personally?
For me, being part of this campaign was deeply meaningful because it reflects how far gaming has come in India. Standing alongside icons from cricket, music, and youth culture isn’t just personal recognition, it’s a sign that esports has earned its place in the mainstream cultural narrative. The campaign’s message around conviction and self-belief resonates strongly with my journey as a gamer and creator.
Esports is a high-pressure space, and belief in yourself is often the difference between giving up and pushing forward. Being part of this campaign felt like a validation of that mindset, not just for me, but for the entire gaming community.
The campaign talks about self-belief and choosing your own path. How closely does that reflect your own journey in esports?
It reflects my journey very closely. I didn’t follow a traditional path, and for a long time, gaming wasn’t seen as a safe or accepted career choice. There were moments of doubt, uncertainty, and pressure to choose something more conventional. But I believed in my grind and stayed committed to what I loved. That belief helped me turn something unconventional into a professional career. “Main Nahi Toh Kaun Be” isn’t just a line for me, it’s a reminder that you have to back yourself, especially when no one else does.
Transitioning from pro player to co-owner, what advice would you give aspiring creators on scaling a group like S8UL without losing the raw passion that built it?
The most important thing is to build structure without killing authenticity. Passion is what starts communities, but structure is what helps them scale. As you grow, it’s essential to invest in the right people, systems, and processes while staying true to why you started in the first place. At S8UL, we’ve always focused on mentorship, consistency, and giving creators the space to evolve. Growth should never come at the cost of trust or creative freedom. If you respect your community and your people, passion naturally scales with you.
Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future of Indian esports and content creation?
What excites me most is how complete the ecosystem is becoming. We’re moving beyond just players and creators to building opportunities across roles like coaching, production, management, and storytelling.
There’s incredible talent across Tier-2 and Tier-3 regions, and with the right structure and support, that talent can shine on global stages. I’m also excited to see esports organisations evolve into more sustainable, professional institutions that combine competition, content, and culture. The future isn’t just about growth in numbers—it’s about building something lasting, meaningful, and globally competitive.
Mortal x Royal Challenge: Conviction Transforms Indian Gaming from Niche to Pro Inside Sport India.
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