Manu Bhaker, who was arguably the face of India’s shooting contingent for a few years, has seen an increase in popularity. Bhaker is about to win a third medal in the 25-meter air pistol event. She has already won two medals, taking home bronze in the individual and mixed team 10m air pistol competitions. According to a report, the pistol shooter has received requests for endorsements from about forty different brands because of her two medals to date. Manu is still focused on the Olympic Games in Paris, but her agency has already closed a few deals totaling crores.

Manu used to demand INR 20–25 lakh for each endorsement; however, it is said that these days, the fees have increased seven times. According to reports, one deal worth about INR 1.5 crore has already been finalized.

“In just the last two to three days, we have received roughly forty inquiries. We have closed a few endorsement deals and are currently concentrating on long-term association deals,” Neerav Tomar, CEO and MD of IOS Sports & Entertainment, Manu’s management company, told a national daily.

“Her brand value, of course, has jumped five to six folds. So anything we were doing before was in the vicinity of Rs 20-25 lakhs, now it has gone to the region of about Rs 1.5 crore for one deal of endorsements. This is a one-year kind of engagement for a brand category with exclusivity.”