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Before NSE's IPO reaches the public market, some big names are reportedly getting in early. Several Bollywood stars and cricket legends have reportedly picked up NSE’s unlisted shares ahead of its public listing. Names like Sachin Tendulkar and Aamir Khan are linked to the NSE share purchases. Now, what are these investors seeing in NSE before it enters the stock market? Let’s discuss in detail.
NSE Attracts Celebrity Investors Ahead of IPO
NSE is attracting attention even before its IPO hits the market. According to a recent report in Livemint, Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar, Aamir Khan, Anil Kapoor, Sara Ali Khan and Gauri Khan are among the celebrities who have reportedly bought NSE’s unlisted shares in recent months.
The reported purchases were made over the last two to three months, ahead of NSE’s expected IPO. This has added to the buzz around the exchange’s much-awaited listing. However, these investments have been reported by people familiar with the matter. The celebrities or their representatives had not confirmed the purchases at the time of the report.
Why Are Investors Buying NSE Shares Before the IPO?
The interest is not only about the upcoming IPO. NSE has a strong position in India’s stock market, which makes its unlisted shares attractive to investors looking for exposure before the company becomes publicly listed. NSE held around 93.1% of India’s equity cash market and 69.4% of the equity options market at the end of June. This gives the exchange a dominant position in two important parts of India’s trading market. The unlisted market also puts NSE’s valuation at around Rs.5.5 lakh cr.
NSE IPO: What Are Investors Betting On?
In June 2026, NSE filed its DRHP with SEBI for an IPO of up to 149 million shares, equal to around 6% of its paid-up capital. The NSE IPO will be entirely an Offer for Sale (OFS). In simple terms, existing shareholders will sell their shares to public investors, while NSE will not receive fresh capital from the issue.
For investors already buying NSE shares in the unlisted market, the IPO offers a potential route to a public-market listing. However, investors buying before the IPO should also remember that unlisted shareholders face a six-month restriction on selling their shares after listing, according to LiveMint.
Also Read: What Is The Right Process To Buy NSE Unlisted Shares In India?
NSE Shares Witness a Strong Rise in the Unlisted Market
NSE unlisted shares have seen a strong rise over the years. The five-year price chart shows the NSE share price at around Rs.1978.97, with a gain of nearly 170.54% during the period.
The company’s financial performance also gives investors a reason to watch NSE closely. In FY26, NSE reported revenue of Rs.18,713.4 Cr and PAT of Rs.10,179.5 Cr, lower than FY25. Still, NSE maintained a strong EBITDA margin of 71.3%. Overall, interest could have been added around NSE ahead of its IPO through a strong combination of past NSE share price performance and healthy profitability. However, past returns likely do not guarantee similar gains after listing.
Options Trading Is NSE's Biggest Opportunity and Its Biggest Risk
NSE's strong market position comes with a major dependency. Equity options contributed 76.55% of NSE's transaction revenue of Rs.13,057 cr in FY26, according to the reports. Options trading is a major part of NSE’s earnings. However, the segment is now facing tighter SEBI rules, as the regulator looks to curb excessive retail participation and speculation in derivatives.
According to Whalesbook, options trading volumes fell 51% in FY26, mainly due to regulatory changes. For NSE, the bigger question going forward could be whether it can maintain strong earnings if derivative activity faces further regulatory changes.
What Does Celebrity Buying Mean for NSE's IPO?
The reported investments by celebrities such as Sachin Tendulkar, Aamir Khan and Sunil Gavaskar have added to the buzz around NSE's IPO. But celebrity participation should not by itself be seen as a reason to buy the shares. The bigger investment story is NSE's dominant market position, strong profitability, high margins and expected IPO, balanced against its heavy dependence on options trading and regulatory risks. With the IPO expected later in 2026, investors will be watching the valuation, final issue details and NSE's financial performance before deciding whether the excitement around NSE unlisted shares is justified.
