Shahrukh Khan Says He Has Always Been The ‘Santro Wala’

Among the show-stoppers of the Auto Expo 2020 is the latest generation Hyundai Creta, which will launch on March 17 and will go on to rival the Kia Seltos and the MG Hector. The new model was presented to the audience by none other than Bollywood Superstar Shahrukh Khan, who has been the brand ambassador for Hyundai Motor India Ltd for over two decades now.

The association of Shahrukh Khan with Hyundai dates back to more than two decades, when Hyundai Motor India Ltd commenced its innings with the launch of the first-gen Santro. Speaking on his first advertisement campaign for the manufacturer, the actor commented that he is still "the Santro wala". He even said that the “tallboy’’ hatchback continues to be his favourite. Shahrukh Khan commented,"I always tell them, everybody, MD and everyone, that I am the Santro wala. Now I am the corporate brand ambassador and have to talk about Creta and everything. But still my all-time favourite car is Santro." Further elaborating on this, he said,

"One, I love the name. I think certain things have a great name. Santro just had a great name. I am sure Creta is very good and all of them are very good but Santro had a ring to it. Because the advertising of 'Santro wala' it was very nice." Speaking on how he felt on being signed up for the endorsement of Santro, Shahrukh Khan said it wasn’t usual for celebrities to become a brand ambassador at that time and it was a pretty big moment for him to get associated with the company. The actor said it was the time when had just started becoming an actor.

Commenting further on his association with Hyundai, the actor also said,"An international brand which was coming to India, thinking I was good enough to be their ambassador but one didn't see 22 years later we'd be still working together, having this kind of a journey," On being asked about the reason for his continued relationship with Hyundai, the actor said, "I have also been personally very clear that when you sign up a brand or a brand signs you, it should be thought from a long-term and it can only be long term when your brand is doing well. Becoming a brand ambassador may be fashionable and very cool but I think a brand ambassador cannot help if the product is not good. I am with them for 22 years because for 22 years they have been able to do something good with their cars."