An FIR have been filed against Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone, along with six others from the car company Hyundai in relation with a fraud case involving a vehicle with alleged manufacturing defects. The actors are the brand ambassadors of Hyundai.
As per an NDTV report, Rajasthan’s Bharatpur resident Kirti Singh has filed the complaint stating that her Hyundai car had technical issues from the day she bought it. She has also stated in the FIR that despite multiple complaints, the company did not address her concerns. Kiri also stated that she purchased the car after being influenced by the advertisements featuring the stars.
Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone were named in the FIR because, as per Indian law, brand ambassadors can be held accountable if a product they endorse is found defective or misleading. The Consumer Protection Act, 2019, allows the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) to impose penalties on endorsers for false or misleading advertisements.
The matter was first brought to the CJM Court No. 2 in Bharatpur as a private complaint. The court directed Mathura Gate Police Station to register an FIR. Following the court orders, police have filed a case under Section 420 (cheating) and other relevant sections.
Bharatpur police have begun investigating the case.
Shah Rukh Khan has been associated with Hyundai India since 1998, the year the company introduced its hatchback Santro to the Indian market. He has appeared in several campaigns, including the launch of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 electric SUV at Auto Expo 2023.
Deepika Padukone became a Hyundai brand ambassador in December 2023.
On the work front, Shah Rukh will next be seen in King, alongside his daughter Suhana. The film, will be directed by Siddharth Anand. So far, Jackie Shroff, Anil Kapoor, Arshad Warsi, Rani Mukerji, Abhishek Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Jaideep Ahlawat, and Abhay Verma are reportedly part of the film.
Deepika was last seen in Rohit Shetty's Singham Again. She will be seen next in AA22xA6, a pan-Indian sci-fi action project directed by Atlee, which will also star Allu Arjun.
