Young Bollywood star Ayushmann Khurrana, riding high on his 100 crore hit Dream Girl 2, is an extremely rare brand in India today. He is the only Indian actor to be honoured by TIME Magazine twice in just three years as one of the most influential people in the world for his path-breaking work in using cinema for social change! He is also a very vocal child rights supporter and is currently UNICEF’s National Ambassador!
Ayushmann is the top favourite for brands seeking credibility and trust as qualities from celebrities. He now has 24 brand endorsement contracts, seven signed in 2023, indicating the star’s growing stature amongst celebrity endorsers!
According to a study by the Indian Institute of Human Brands (IIHB), Ayushmann is the most lovable and relatable youth icon in India.
About his growing brand equity and his impact on the people of India, Ayushmann says, “It is humbling to see how they (brands) have entrusted me with the responsibility to deliver their product promise and values in an authentic, credible, relatable, and clutter-breaking way.”
He adds, “I think about how my film choices have triggered a positive change in mindset and played a large role in brands seeing me as someone credible enough to synergize with their vision.”
A rank outsider to Bollywood, Ayushmann is now one of the most loved actors in Hindi cinema. His spotless equity makes him a brand favourite!
Ayushmann wants to pick films or endorse brands that represent the zest of New India! He says, “Through my choice of cinema, I would like to capture and reflect the aspirations, ambitions, and values of a growing, dynamic, and rising New India, and reflect these in my brand journey too. I want to tell a unique story with a lot of heart, to subvert the norm and tell people to create their own path.”
He adds, “By choosing inclusive scripts, and subjects and playing disruptive characters the endeavor from my end has always been to connect pan-India and challenge the status quo at every opportunity. Through my journey with brands, movies, and music, I want to make people smile, fill their hearts with happiness, bring them together, and rise above.”
Maneesh Krishnamurthy, Head – Marketing, Eyecare Division, Titan Eye+, a Titan Company, speaks about the qualities of Brand Ayushmann Khurrana that appealed to the brand. He says, “Ayushmann Khurrana is the poster boy of mainstream cinema pushing the boundaries of typical Bollywood content while constantly shifting gears to accomplish the extraordinary. With his portfolio of work Ayushmann has set the benchmark of versatility, substance, and excellence.”
Ayushmann endorses Kit-Kat & Rupali Rattan, Director – Confectionery, Nestlé India Limited, adding, “Ayushmann Khurrana represents a fresh, positive attitude towards life much like our target audience. We felt these qualities tied in well with the brand’s philosophy and he made for a perfect brand ambassador to encourage people to have more breaks. He helped bring in mass appeal, strong cut-through, and high relatability to the brand by playing the role of a new professor in the Kitkat brand film which was launched in 2020.”