Bollywood icons Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone, along with six Hyundai officials, have been named in a First Information Report (FIR) filed in Rajasthan’s Bharatpur for allegedly misleading consumers through their endorsement of a defective Hyundai vehicle. The case, lodged by local resident Kirti Singh, cites persistent technical issues with her car, sparking a legal battle that invokes India’s Consumer Protection Act, 2019. 

Singh, a lawyer from Bharatpur, purchased a Hyundai car, influenced by advertisements featuring Khan and Padukone, who have been brand ambassadors since 1998 and 2023, respectively. She alleges the vehicle, reportedly a Creta, suffered from manufacturing defects from the outset, with issues like faulty electronics and poor performance persisting despite repeated complaints to the dealership. Hyundai’s failure to resolve the problems prompted Singh to escalate the matter to the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Court No. 2, which ordered the Mathura Gate Police Station to register an FIR under Section 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for cheating, among other charges.

The FIR also names Hyundai’s Managing Director Anso Kim, Chief Operating Officer Tarun Garg, and showroom owners, accusing them of deceptive marketing. Under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, endorsers like Khan and Padukone can face penalties of up to ₹10 lakh and a two-year advertising ban for misleading promotions, a stance reinforced by a 2024 Supreme Court ruling holding celebrities accountable for product claims. Singh claims the stars’ endorsement in a high-profile 2024 Hyundai Creta campaign, styled as an action-packed trailer featuring them as undercover agents, swayed her purchase decision.

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Khan, a long-time Hyundai face since the 1998 Santro launch, and Padukone, who joined for campaigns like the Creta Electric, are now under scrutiny as Bharatpur police investigate. The case has stirred debate, with some on X calling it a publicity stunt, while others see it as a test of celebrity accountability. Hyundai India has yet to issue a public statement, but sources indicate the company is reviewing the allegations. The investigation, still in its early stages, could set a precedent for how brands and their endorsers navigate consumer complaints in India’s booming automotive market.

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