In a country where weddings and celebrations are often synonymous with grandeur and spectacle, one element has remained largely unexplored—true engagement. Divya Kholakiya, Founder of GaminGaza, saw the untapped potential in transforming idle moments into immersive, shared experiences. By introducing India’s first luxury gaming stations, she has not only redefined how people interact at events but also created a new niche in the luxury entertainment industry. Recognized at the ET Panache Women of the Year 2025, launched at WOW Awards Asia 2025, Divya’s vision blends creativity, technology, and human connection to turn every celebration into a memory that lasts a lifetime.
1. GaminGaza stands out as one of India’s first luxury gaming stations. What inspired you to venture into this space, and what were the initial challenges you faced in a market with limited gaming infrastructure?
The inspiration came from a very simple observation. At weddings and grand celebrations, we would see lavish décor, fine dining, and music—but when it came to engagement, there was very little that truly connected people. Guests would often sit idle, scrolling through their phones, detached from the celebration happening around them. That sight always bothered me.
I wanted to create something that made people put their phones down and look up at each other with laughter, competition, and joy. That’s how GaminGaza was born. But stepping into a market that had almost no infrastructure for luxury gaming was like walking into uncharted territory. There were no blueprints to follow, no examples to lean on. Many people couldn’t even imagine what a “luxury gaming station” could look like. The challenge was not just setting up the concept—it was convincing the world that gaming could belong to the luxury space.
2. How did you overcome scepticism and low awareness about luxury gaming experiences among potential clients and partners?
Scepticism was everywhere in the beginning. Clients would smile politely and say, “Sounds interesting, but will it really work?” Partners would ask, “Why gaming? Who will play?” It was disheartening at times.
But instead of answering with words, we answered with experiences. One of our first breakthroughs happened when we set up a wooden gaming station at a Sunday brunch at JW Sahar, Andheri. We simply invited people to try it out while enjoying their brunch. The moment was unforgettable—kids, parents, and even grandparents gathered around the games, laughing, competing, and cheering each other on. What started with curiosity soon turned into genuine joy.
That day proved a point we had been trying to make all along—gaming is not bound by age. It connects people in ways words can’t. The scepticism melted away, not because we explained the concept, but because people lived it.
3. Establishing a luxury gaming station requires not just investment, but also creativity in designing unique games and setups. How did you approach the process of creating and sourcing these one-of-a-kind gaming experiences?
Each game has its own tricks and techniques, and that’s where our real challenge began. We didn’t just want to bring ready-made equipment and place it at events—we wanted every game to feel unique, thoughtfully designed, and crafted for luxury. So, we started by sketching the designs ourselves. From the height of a board to the angle of a striker, every element had to be carefully thought through, not just for aesthetics but for playability.
Very quickly, we realized that the heart of GaminGaza would not come from what we could buy, but from what we could create. Today, only about 20% of our items are sourced from the market. The rest—every accessory, every wooden finish, every customized touch—is built in GaminGaza’s own studio. This gave us two strengths: the ability to innovate constantly and the freedom to maintain the exclusivity of our games.
What started as a challenge turned into one of our biggest advantages—our studio became the birthplace of ideas, where imagination was turned into real, tangible gaming experiences.
4. GaminGaza is known for offering concept-based gaming stations. How do you design these customized experiences with themes, stationery, and winning criteria to keep guests engaged throughout an event?
At GaminGaza, we don’t just provide games—we create concept gaming experiences. Every event is unique, and our role is to design gaming concepts that blend seamlessly with the theme and purpose of the celebration. We do this by setting up different variations of Concept Stations, each one crafted with customized stationery, props, and accessories that reflect the event’s identity.
What makes it special is that even the winning criteria are tailored for each concept. It’s not just about playing; it’s about engaging guests for a meaningful span of 180 minutes, giving them a clear purpose to participate, compete, and eventually win gifts. This keeps the energy alive, the guests connected, and the event truly memorable.
For us, gaming is not just entertainment—it’s an experience that ties the entire event together.
5. Every creative journey comes with its roadblocks. Have you ever faced a creative block while designing gaming experiences, and how did you push through it?
Yes, many times. There were moments when I felt we had run out of ideas, that we had already done everything possible. Creative blocks can feel suffocating, especially when clients are looking at you with trust in their eyes.
What helped me push through was going back to the basics—watching people. Observing how they play, when they laugh, when they get bored. Those small details reminded me that creativity doesn’t always come from inside; sometimes it comes from outside, from the very people you are designing for. And every time I felt stuck, I reminded myself: This is not just about games. This is about creating memories people will carry with them forever. That thought always brought the spark back.
6. Looking ahead, how do you envision the growth of the luxury gaming industry in Indian Live events, and what role do you see GaminGaza playing in this transformation?
The future of luxury gaming in India feels limitless to me. With people valuing experiences over possessions, gaming has the power to transform celebrations into something unforgettable. It’s not just children who play anymore—today, grandparents sit with grandchildren, CEOs with interns, brides with their friends. That inclusivity makes gaming universal.
At GaminGaza, I see us as not just participants but leaders in this transformation. We want to expand pan-India, and even bring gaming into people’s homes very soon. Our dream is to make luxury gaming synonymous with celebration in India.
When I look back at where we started—with nothing but an idea—and where we are today, I feel grateful. Grateful for the risks we took, the doubts we faced, and the joy we created. Because in the end, GaminGaza was never just about games—it was about connection, laughter, and the magic of playing together.
Divya Kholakiya’s journey with GaminGaza is a testament to the power of vision, creativity, and perseverance. By reimagining gaming as a luxury, interactive experience, she has not only challenged conventional event entertainment but also crafted a space where connections flourish and memories are made. As the luxury gaming landscape in India evolves, GaminGaza is poised to lead the charge, proving that the future of celebrations lies not just in spectacle, but in shared joy, laughter, and play.
