‘Let Shah Rukh Khan go to bat’: How Sachin Tendulkar’s suggestion made this ad 90s most iconic, reveals Prahlad Kakkar

While there are some who don’t consider ad films to be all that, they are a highly effective medium and a big part of the television-watching experience in India. Ad-film ‘guru’ Prahlad Kakkar has helmed commercials for the biggest brands while working with the biggest stars. His close association with big actors, sportspersons and people of influence has equipped him with a lot of anecdotes, and he often shares them during interviews. In a recent interaction, Prahlad recalled working on some of his most iconic commercials, including the 1999 Cricket World Cup ad starring Shah Rukh Khan and Sachin Tendulkar.

The ad in question starred many cricketers from the 1999 Indian team, including then captain Mohammad Azharuddin, Ajit Agarkar, Rahul Dravid, and the master blaster Sachin himself. Shah Rukh played a man who just wanted a can of Pepsi. Upon discovering that players have access to the soft drink in their locker room, Shah Rukh dressed up as Sachin and sneaked in. However, his disguise was so perfect that the captain sent him out to bat. He then meets Sachin in the tunnel, where instead of grabbing the bat, Sachin takes the soft drink can and leaves.

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Recalling the shooting of the ad, Prahlad admitted that Sachin was a shy boy from Mumbai, but he ultimately broke out of his shell. He said that Sachin even started suggesting changes in the script, including a crucial change in the climax.

“Sachin was a Marathi Manush (Maharashtrian man) and shy. Later on in his career he got very confident, and he actually suggested things in the script which were very good. Like in that Shah Rukh film, where he dresses up as Sachin and walks into the dressing room to get a can because they were free, the original idea was for Sachin to take the bat and go on the field. But Sachin said, ‘Why should I do that? That’s not fun. Let me take the Pepsi, go back into the dressing room and let him (Shah Rukh) go to bat.’ We just went. ‘Wow! What a great idea.’”

Shah Rukh has worked with cricketers for other beloved ads as well, such as with Mahendra Singh Dhoni, where they play two brothers who were separated in their childhood. Shah Rukh would go on to become a cricketer, while Dhoni became an actor.