The renowned cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar is celebrated worldwide for his calm presence on the field, but off the field, he also exhibited a remarkable creative flair.
Prahlad Kakkar, a famous ad filmmaker known for directing numerous iconic commercials in the ’90s, recently shared insights into the making of one of Pepsi’s most famous ads from 1999 featuring Shah Rukh Khan and Sachin Tendulkar. Interestingly, it was Tendulkar who introduced the most captivating twist in the script.
Recounting the shoot, Kakkar told ANI that Sachin, being a “Marathi manus” by nature, was initially shy and reserved during their early collaborations. However, over time, the cricketer became more self-assured and started suggesting ideas that were “actually very good.”
“He proposed brilliant ideas for the script, like in that Shah Rukh film, where Shah Rukh disguises as Sachin and sneaks into the World Cup team’s dressing room to grab some free Pepsis,” Kakkar told ANI.
In the ad, Azharuddin and the other players mistake Shah Rukh for the real Tendulkar and send him to bat, much to his dismay.
Initially, the script had Sachin picking up the bat and heading to the field. But the cricket icon had a different idea, one that altered the ad’s conclusion and made it even more humorous.
“So, the initial script had Sachin taking the bat and heading to bat. But Sachin suggested, ‘Why should I do that? That’s not fun. Let me take the Pepsi and return to the dressing room, and let him go out.’ To which we replied, ‘Wow, what a fantastic idea!'”
This ad became one of the most unforgettable commercials of the late ’90s and popularized the now-legendary slogan, “Yeh Dil Maange More.”
The advertisement remains one of the most celebrated collaborations between sports and Bollywood, marking a pinnacle in Indian advertising during the 1990s.
