Purpose: This study aims to examine the role of creativity and proactive personality to predict entrepreneurial intentions (EIs) using Ajzen's (1991) theory of planned behaviour as an underpinning model. The study primarily focuses on how entrepreneurial self-efficacy and passion mediate the effect of creativity and proactive personality on EI. Design/methodology/approach: A total of 531 college students of 18-28 years of age were surveyed using a structured questionnaire. The proposed model was tested using structural equation modelling in Amos 20.0, and the mediating effect of entrepreneurial self-efficacy and entrepreneurial passion was tested using the bootstrapping method. Findings: The results validate the extension of the theory of planned behaviour to predict EIs and confirm that the effect of creativity and proactive personality on EIs through entrepreneurial self-efficacy was fully and partially mediated, respectively. Moreover, the relationship between entrepreneurial self-efficacy and the EI was partially mediated by entrepreneurial passion. Practical implications: The study provides a better understanding of college students' EI and identifies and highlights the role of social factors (i.e. subjective norms) and psychological factors such as attitude, self-efficacy, creativity, proactivity and passion in stimulating EIs. It deciphers the interlink of creativity, proactive personality, self-efficacy, passion and EIs. It may help academicians and policymakers better plan the educational programme to foster entrepreneurial instinct among students. Originality/value: The study is a novel attempt to provide an integrated framework to explain EIs, highlighting the significance of creativity and proactive personality. It contributes to the existing literature by signifying the mediating role of entrepreneurial self-efficacy and passion.