In a surprising turn of events, the Delhi-based app developer who bought the domain JioHotstar.com in anticipation of making a lucrative sale to Reliance Industries has now sold it to two young children in Dubai. According to India Today, the anonymous developer initially tried to negotiate a deal with Reliance, seeking over ₹1 crore for the domain. He hoped the money would allow him to fund an executive MBA at Cambridge University in the UK. However, Reliance Industries refused to entertain his offer, leading to an unexpected outcome—the sale of the domain to 13-year-old Jainam Jain and 10-year-old Jivika Jain from Dubai.
The two children, now listed as the new owners of JioHotstar.com, made updates to the website on October 25, explaining their motivation behind the purchase. In a personal note published on the site, the siblings described their recent trip to India, which they referred to as a “Seva journey.” During their visit, they spent time teaching underprivileged children and managed to collect donations to support various charitable causes. They revealed that part of the funds they raised during this trip was used to buy the JioHotstar domain from the developer.
“Our goal is to inspire others by sharing this experience,” the children wrote. They also stated that the domain would remain available for future sale to anyone interested in using it to continue positive or charitable missions. “Through sharing our journey here, we aim to inspire others and keep the domain open for future sale to anyone who wants to continue this positive mission.”
The developer had initially acquired the JioHotstar.com domain in 2023, after rumors began circulating about a potential merger between JioCinema and Hotstar. Sensing an opportunity, the developer hoped to sell the domain at a premium once the merger was confirmed. With the merger finalized in 2024, the timing seemed ideal to approach Reliance for a deal. However, Reliance Industries reportedly dismissed his outreach, leaving him without the sale he had anticipated.
Following Reliance’s rejection, the developer decided to sell the domain to the Dubai-based siblings, Jainam and Jivika. Their gesture of purchasing the domain to support the young developer has drawn widespread attention and added a unique philanthropic angle to the story.
Reliance Industries has not yet issued an official statement regarding the new ownership of the domain. However, the developer’s move to sell it to children engaged in charitable work has sparked curiosity, with many noting the unexpected twist to what initially seemed like a straightforward business venture.
The situation also highlights the unpredictable nature of digital real estate investments, where speculators attempt to profit by anticipating corporate trends. In this case, the developer’s attempt to leverage the merger between two major entertainment platforms did not yield the outcome he hoped for. Yet, the domain’s unexpected sale to two young philanthropists has added an intriguing new dimension, illustrating how even seemingly commercial ventures can take on a charitable and inspiring narrative.