Varun Dhawan Backs Biofortification After Investing in Better Nutrition, Connects Farming With Everyday Food

Varun Dhawan is taking his interest in farming beyond the field. The actor has invested in Better Nutrition, a brand focused on biofortified staple foods, and is exploring the approach on his own farm. On World Food Day, observed on October 16, he used the occasion to draw attention to the possibility of improving the nutritional value of everyday foods such as wheat flour, rice and pulses.

The association was first announced in early October, when Dhawan revealed that his interest in agriculture had led him to work with Better Nutrition as an investor and brand ambassador. His latest message focuses on biofortification - a process that aims to increase the nutrient content of crops while they grow.

In a statement carried by Bollywood Hungama and Moneycontrol, Dhawan explained that he was drawn to the idea of improving nutrition in foods people already eat. He also said he had begun exploring biofortification on his own farm after investing in the company.

What Is Biofortification, and How Does It Work?

Biofortification aims to improve the levels of selected nutrients in crops themselves. It differs from conventional food fortification, in which nutrients are added during food processing.

Depending on the crop and method, biofortification can target micronutrients such as iron and zinc. The approach is relevant to staple foods because wheat, rice, millets and pulses are regularly consumed across many Indian households.

Better Nutrition says it works with biofortified seeds, soil-science practices and farm-level testing to grow crops with enhanced nutrient levels. The company says its range includes atta, rice, dals and millets, with nutrient levels varying by product and crop.

The underlying concept is not new to India’s agricultural research system. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research has documented the development of biofortified crop varieties as part of efforts to support nutritional security. In 2020, 17 biofortified varieties across eight crops were dedicated to the nation on World Food Day.

Biofortification is one potential contribution to better nutrition, rather than a complete solution to malnutrition. Outcomes depend on the nutrients targeted, crop varieties, farming practices, availability, affordability and the broader diet.

Why Varun Dhawan’s Farm Matters to the Partnership?

Dhawan’s involvement with Better Nutrition grew out of his own farming journey. In October, he described how learning about seeds, soil and crop nutrition prompted him to explore the wider relationship between agriculture and the food people eat.

The partnership now connects that personal interest with a commercial food brand. Better Nutrition’s model links crop cultivation and testing with the sale of everyday staples, while Dhawan’s role gives the initiative a public-facing advocate.

The actor has also shared a video on social media explaining the concept. His stated ambition is for the approach to reach more Indian households, although the scale of adoption and the nutritional impact of the partnership will depend on what the company can deliver in practice.

The investment amount and other financial terms have not been publicly disclosed in the sources reviewed for this article.

Better Nutrition and the Indian Nutrition Conversation

Better Nutrition was founded by Prateek Rastogi and Aishwarya Bhatnagar and appeared on Shark Tank India Season 4. The company’s public materials describe a focus on biofortified staples, including products made from wheat, rice, pulses and millets. Dhawan has joined the brand alongside its existing ambassador, badminton player P. V. Sindhu, according to published coverage of the announcement.

The company’s claims about nutrient levels should be assessed product by product and against appropriate testing. Biofortified foods are not interchangeable with medical treatment or a balanced diet, and the presence of additional nutrients does not, by itself, establish a particular health outcome for every consumer.

The Celebrity Hour Take

Dhawan’s move is notable because it links celebrity investment with a subject that begins well before food reaches the kitchen: how crops are grown and what nutrients they contain. The larger test for Better Nutrition will be whether it can translate that idea into accessible products, transparent evidence of nutrient levels and sustained consumer trust. Celebrity visibility can introduce the concept to a wider audience, but measurable impact will depend on the farming model, product quality and affordability.

Sources & Verification

This article uses Dhawan’s publicly reported statements, Better Nutrition’s published explanation of its farming approach, and reporting from established business and news outlets. The background on India’s biofortified crop varieties is supported by Indian Council of Agricultural Research material. Product nutrient claims are attributed to the company and should not be read as independent clinical findings.