DAMAC gets Ranbir and Alia to be faces for their Islands 2 project in big India Push!

On November 12, 2025, the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai transformed into Bollywood central. Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor—India's most bankable and beloved power couple—walked hand-in-hand to unveil DAMAC Islands 2, the luxury developer's seventh master community. The event wasn't just a real estate launch; it was a full-scale cultural spectacle that merged entertainment, luxury, and investment in ways that only Dubai can orchestrate.

DAMAC Properties, founded by Hussain Sajwani, has built a reputation for creating ultra-luxury, themed residential communities. DAMAC Islands, the original archipelago project spanning 30 million square feet, became legendary in Dubai's real estate landscape. It set a Guinness World Record in 2024 for the highest revenue generated from a single real estate launch in one day—a staggering achievement. Now, DAMAC Islands 2 represents the next evolution: an even more ambitious tropical-themed development designed to redefine waterfront luxury living.

Why Alia and Ranbir?

Amira Sajwani, Managing Director of DAMAC Properties, explained the strategic genius behind the choice: "We have three world-class ambassadors: Bollywood stars Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor, and Arab singing sensation Majid Al Mohandis. The reason we went with these three is because we have a huge following from both the Asian and the Arab markets. We wanted to choose brand ambassadors that represented both sides of the demand, so the project could resonate with the regional and global population and buyers."

The calculation was brilliant. Alia Bhatt, riding high from international success with Heart of Stone, brings global appeal and a younger, digitally-native fanbase. Ranbir Kapoor, riding massive success from Animal, represents Bollywood's alpha energy. Together, they're not just celebrities endorsing property—they're cultural icons legitimizing an investment vehicle to millions globally.

DAMAC Islands 2: What Is It?

The development is positioned as a "tropical retreat" inspired by eight global island destinations: Antigua, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Cuba, Maui, Mauritius, and Tahiti. Key features include:

Luxury Residences: 4-7 bedroom villas and townhouses starting at AED 2.7 million, with prices scaling to ultra-luxury segments.

Water Features: Crystal-clear lagoons, floating decks, and beach clubs creating resort-like experiences.

Wellness Focus: Open-air spas, meditation decks, yoga pavilions, and health-integrated architecture.

Community Spaces: Private cinemas, restaurants, adventure zones, and curated experiential areas.

Investment Appeal: Properties worth over AED 2 million qualify buyers for Dubai's coveted 10-year Golden Visa.

The development signals DAMAC's evolution beyond luxury housing toward lifestyle experience design—something that commands premium pricing and attracts global wealth.

Chemistry That Broke the Internet

The promotional film for DAMAC Islands 2 featured Alia and Ranbir lounging on a private island, dancing, swimming, and simply existing in unscripted comfort. Alia wore an orange swimsuit; Ranbir donned a casual light blue shirt. The vibe was intimate, aspirational, and effortlessly romantic.

The official caption read: "Paradise isn't just a place. It's a state of mind. With Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor, experience DAMAC Islands 2, where every moment flows to the rhythm of the sea. At this island escape, waterfront luxury meets tranquillity, and living becomes an art inspired by the island lifestyle."

The Internet's Reaction: Explosive. Social media erupted with praise for their on-screen chemistry. Comments flooded in:

• "This looks like a movie. They look so good together!"

• "RanLia looks amazing—feels like watching a Bollywood rom-com."

• "We really need a romcom starring Ranbir and Alia."

• "The chemistry is unreal."

What could have been a standard luxury real estate advertisement became entertainment content. Millions watched not for property investment details but simply to see the couple together. The ad went viral organically—proof that celebrity authenticity drives engagement far more effectively than scripted messaging.

Theater Meets Real Estate

The November 12 event at Coca-Cola Arena was theatrical. Guests were transported through eight dreamlike island concepts. World-class entertainment, theatrical visuals, and experiential showcases set the tone. Majid Al Mohandis, the Arab singing sensation, performed live, bringing the Arab market dimension into focus.

Alia and Ranbir engaged directly with attendees—not distant celebrities but accessible personalities sharing genuine enthusiasm about community and human connection. Alia spoke about "building community, the feeling of family, and bringing people together." Ranbir added poetic notes about experiencing beauty beyond simply seeing it.

Even Ranbir's typically off-social-media persona provided a revelation: he secretly runs a private Instagram account, a detail that humanized the usually private actor and generated further buzz.

The Broader Strategy: Celebrity-Led Real Estate Marketing Evolution

This partnership represents a significant shift in luxury real estate marketing. Traditionally, developers relied on glossy brochures, architectural renderings, and financial projections. DAMAC's approach merges entertainment with investment—Bollywood storytelling sells property in ways pure marketing cannot.

By positioning DAMAC Islands 2 as aspirational lifestyle (not just housing), they're tapping into emotional purchase drivers. Buyers aren't just acquiring property; they're buying into the fantasy of living like Alia and Ranbir, in a tropical paradise with curated community experiences.

The Market Impact

Real estate professionals immediately recognized the marketing brilliance. DAMAC expects pre-launch inquiries to explode. Indian investors—particularly high-net-worth individuals and NRIs—represent a massive demographic for Dubai real estate. Having Bollywood's most bankable couple as ambassadors shifts DAMAC Islands 2 from "another Dubai development" to "the Bollywood-backed island retreat."

Early indicators suggest strong momentum. The original DAMAC Islands broke sales records; Islands 2 is positioned to surpass them.

The Bigger Picture: Dubai's Celebrity Real Estate Ecosystem

Dubai has increasingly positioned itself as a celebrity destination and investment hub. From footballer endorsements to actor-backed developments, the city attracts A-list talent. This DAMAC partnership signals that celebrity influence isn't secondary to real estate marketing—it's central.

For Bollywood celebrities, Dubai real estate partnerships offer multiple benefits: income from endorsements, investment portfolio diversification, and positioning as global influencers rather than just actors.

Social Media Momentum

Instagram and TikTok exploded with the campaign. Hashtags like #DAMACIslands2 and #RanLia trended. Fan accounts reposted the advertisement. Celebrity entertainment blogs covered the partnership extensively. The organic reach far exceeded typical luxury real estate marketing budgets.

What Alia and Ranbir Said

Beyond the scripted messaging, Alia mentioned visiting Dubai felt like "a homecoming," thanking the Sajwani family for warmth and affection. She referenced recently moving into their new Mumbai home, grounding the partnership in personal authenticity rather than pure commercial interest.

Ranbir, characteristically thoughtful, emphasized experiencing beauty—a subtle commentary on DAMAC Islands 2's design philosophy of lifestyle immersion.

The Speculation: Their Own Island Project?

Industry chatter suggests that fresh off the DAMAC partnership, Alia and Ranbir are reportedly collaborating with another leading developer on their own private island project—a celebrity-backed venture featuring ultra-luxury villas, bespoke beachfronts, and sustainability-focused architecture. If confirmed, this would mark unprecedented territory: Bollywood royalty moving from endorsement to equity partnership in real estate development. This potential expansion suggests the couple sees genuine long-term opportunity in Dubai's luxury market.

Implications for Dubai's Real Estate Future

The DAMAC Islands 2 partnership with Alia and Ranbir signals Dubai's maturing real estate marketing strategy. Luxury properties are no longer sold through features and benefits but through lifestyle narratives, celebrity association, and emotional connection.

For prospective buyers, particularly from India, the endorsement carries weight. If Bollywood's biggest power couple invests in (or endorses) a project, legitimacy follows. For DAMAC, the investment in celebrity partnership pays dividends through organic reach, media coverage, and aspirational marketing that traditional advertising cannot replicate.

DAMAC Islands 2's launch with Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor represents a watershed moment in celebrity-led real estate marketing. The viral advertisement, powerful brand association, and strategic partnership demonstrate how entertainment and investment merge in modern Dubai. Whether buyers are genuinely interested in island living or simply captivated by the power couple's chemistry, DAMAC has successfully positioned Islands 2 as the luxury development of the moment.

The question now: will this partnership strategy set the precedent for future launches? Given the overwhelming success, expect more celebrity-backed real estate ventures across Dubai. Alia and Ranbir haven't just promoted a property development—they've reshaped how luxury real estate markets itself in the age of social media and entertainment fusion.