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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.
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.
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