Police in Bharatpur, located in the north-western Indian state of Rajasthan, have filed a first information report against Bollywood stars Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone, among others. This follows an allegation by a man who claimed he was cheated after purchasing a defective Hyundai Alcazar sports utility vehicle.
The actors, known for starring together in numerous Bollywood hits like Om Shanti Om, Pathaan, and Jawan, serve as brand ambassadors for Hyundai in India.
The FIR, which initiates criminal proceedings in India, was lodged at Mathura Gate police station. It was based on a complaint by advocate Kirti Singh, who bought the SUV for ₹23.97 lakh (approximately Dh100,420) from a dealership in Haryana, according to the Press Trust of India.
Singh reported that the car developed serious technical faults shortly after purchase, particularly during acceleration or overtaking. “The car starts vibrating, the speed doesn’t increase, and the engine management system indicates a malfunction. This has endangered my life and my family’s lives several times,” he said, adding that the company has not resolved the issue despite multiple follow-ups.
Singh named the actors as “accused” for endorsing and promoting the brand, claiming their endorsements misled consumers.
Singh approached the court after police initially refused to register his complaint. Following court directions, Mathura Gate police station filed the case on August 25 under sections 420, 406, and 120B of the Indian Penal Code, along with sections 312, 318, 316, 61, and 175(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita, as reported by the Hindustan Times citing Bhaskar English.
The actors have yet to respond to the complaint.
Shah Rukh Khan recently won a National Film Award for his role in the 2023 action drama Jawan. The film features Khan in a dual role as father and son, alongside Nayanthara, Padukone, Vijay Sethupathi, Sanya Malhotra, Priyamani, among others.
He is set to appear next in Siddharth Anand’s King. Although Khan’s daughter Suhana, Abhishek Bachchan, and Padukone are rumored to be part of the film, no official announcement has been made yet.
