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Aamir Khan Landed Iconic Pepsi Ad Over Shah Rukh Khan in 1993
23 Oct
Summary
- Shah Rukh Khan quoted ₹6 lakh for the Pepsi ad, but Aamir Khan was chosen
- Aamir Khan's "boy next door" image was preferred over Shah Rukh's
- Aamir Khan was paid ₹16 lakh for the ad, which featured Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
In 1993, the iconic Pepsi advertisement that featured Aamir Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, and Mahima Chaudhary was the subject of a casting battle between Aamir and Shah Rukh Khan. According to ad guru Prahlad Kakkar, Shah Rukh was in the running for the role but quoted a remuneration of ₹6 lakh. However, Aamir's "boy next door" image was ultimately preferred, and he was paid ₹16 lakh for the ad.
Kakkar revealed that the ad was a copy of an American commercial, and the producers were looking for a vulnerable, non-cocky lead. While Shah Rukh was the more established star at the time, Aamir's shy demeanor won over the producers. The casting process took three months to finalize, with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan already a known face, but the producers wanted a girl who could "stop the country" in her brief appearance.
The Pepsi ad went on to become a landmark in Indian advertising, and the day it was released, Kakkar received 5,000 calls the next morning asking about the mysterious "Sanju" character played by Mahima Chaudhary. In recent years, Aamir, Shah Rukh, and Salman Khan have appeared together at a function in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, showcasing the enduring bond between the three Bollywood superstars.
