In Chennai, esports has transformed from a hobby for young people playing games on their mobile phones to a lucrative industry worth crores. The city now boasts professional e-gamers who compete globally, earning between 10 to 20 lakhs monthly. Recognizing this shift, the Tamil Nadu government has embraced esports by including it in the CM Trophy competition. Sudin Dinesh, a former casual gamer from Chennai, never imagined he would rise to compete on an international level. Initially playing games for fun, Dinesh dedicated himself to a professional gaming career by practicing for 10 hours daily and winning tournaments across India. His skills led to a contract with a Delhi-based gaming organization, which ultimately catapulted him to the 2015 Esports World Championship, where he ranked among the world's top 32 players. Dinesh, who has since retired, now holds a high-ranking position at the Esports Club in Bengaluru. The popularity of esports in Chennai is evident from the high viewership numbers during live streaming, with top gamers attracting up to 17 lakh views. Apart from streaming revenue, gamers also earn rewards from tournaments and sponsorships. The growth of esports is remarkable, with prize pools increasing substantially over the years and international game publishers organizing tournaments in India.Indian cities are aiming to promote esports. Chennai is set to host a major event in late November, featuring top e-gamers in the country. Not all players are professionals, as seen with individuals like Kirubakaran Sundar Rajan, a doctor from Georgia, who joins friends in Chennai to play out of passion. "For me, the appeal lies in the interactions from live streams and networking with a global community," he explains. Some professionals, such as doctors and engineers aged between 20 and 40, see gaming as a way to enhance concentration, although concerns about addiction are growing. According to Dr. D Sidharth, who treats cases of back pain and stress from excessive gaming, many individuals play for 4-6 hours continuously after work, impacting their sleep, posture, and eyesight. Some game publishers have implemented self-regulatory measures, including restrictions on daily gaming hours and alerts every two hours, to address potential health issues. Sriram Vishaal, Head of esports at Skyesports, a tournament organizer, notes that unlike games of chance and betting which fall under the Tamil Nadu Online Gaming Authority's scrutiny, skill-based esports is unlikely to be targeted by the authority.