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#Throwback2020: India’s Top Brand Ambassadors
New Delhi: Brand ambassadors – they are the icons, the celebrities which consumers associate with a brand because they extoll its virtues on television, print, and digital adverts. The role of any and every brand ambassadorin 2020 came with added responsibilities than ever before. They were not just selling products or services but trust and assurance to the potential customer that whatever they are promoting is safe to use in the times of coronavirus.
It is to their credit that many of them stepped forward on the government’s call for social messaging, telling the homebound to stay that way and resort to social distancing, masks and extreme sanitisation measures every time they stepped out.
While expensive, expansive shoots were a no-no for about four months in the early stages of the pandemic, many celebs found innovative ways to continue filming from their homes with the help of remotely located directors and production teams, Once the unlock orders were passed and proper standard operating procedures put in place for TV commercial and other shoots, the brand ambassador band played out in full swing. Several brands roped in new ambassadors this year and several new ambassadors started shining on air.
Here are India’s op 10 brand ambassadorsin terms of ad volume on TV according to Tam data (from Jan 2020 – Nov 2020).
Akshay Kumar
The 50 plus year old actor has emerged as the king of endorsements in the Bollywood fraternity. He is associated with brands across different categories such as Protein Plus, Dollar Industries, RB, CarDekho, Honda, Nirma, Pagarbook and several others. Kumar has a kitty of over 20 brands including traditional and new-age brands.
Known for his discipline, fitness, and integrity the actor’s credibility reached its peak when he interviewed prime minister Narendra Modi at his residence just before the 2019 general elections. Over the years his fan base has increased and brands have found him to be a credible face when it comes to creating a strong recall.
Virat Kohli
The current Indian cricket team captain is one of the most successful brand ambassadors from the world of cricket. He represents a variety of virtues such as discipline, aggression, commitment, team-player, and most recently soon-to-be-father. Kohli has been breaking multiple records and cricket experts across the world have been lauding his success.
Going by the latest reports, his brand value is above Rs 320 crore and is slated to grow as he has a good number of years left in his career before his retirement. Kohli endorses brands like Great Learning, Blue Star, WellMan, Himalaya Men, Google Duo, MPL, Shyam Steel, Amaze inverters and batteries, Puma, Hero MotoCorp, Colgate, Volini, Too Yumm, Wrogn, Tissot, Audi, Royal Challenge.
Kareena Kapoor
The leading lady of Bollywood is one of the most expensive ambassadors in the industry. Kapoor represents virtues such as finesse, quality, beauty, glamour and fitness. She has been in the industry for over 20 years and has emerged as a big influencer and commands a very strong social following. A brand report in August clearly stated that Kapoor leads the brand endorsement chart among the women in Bollywood. She endorses brands such as Lux, Puma, Vectus Group, RB, Airbnb, Prega News, VIP Bags, and others.
Amitabh Bachchan
He is known as the evergreen brand ambassador of the industry. Bachchan is the easiest choice for any brand manager to make since he cuts across multiple age-groups, communities and commands an unwavering love and respect from the audiences. He represents virtues such as patience, calmness, commitment, etiquettes, politeness, friendly, family man, elderly and many other things. He is among the veterans in the industry and commands an ability to shift the needle of sales on any product. Some of the brands that he endorses are – Ghadi Detergent, Dr Fixit, FirstCry, Gujrat Tourism, RBI, TVS and others. He has a kitty of over 15 brands.
Kiara Advani
She is the new girl on the endorsement block. Advani emerged in the industry with her performance in Kabir Singh and since then has bagged multiple roles in films and contracts from brands. She represents youth and beauty. Advani is associated with Myntra, Colgate, Limca, Priyagold, boat, Giordano Handbags, and others.
Ranveer Singh
He is one of the most revered youth icons the industry has seen in a long time. Be it his dressing sense, commitment towards maintaining his shape, love towards his lady lass, Singh is much followed by youth (both male and female) across geographies. Singh represents virtues such as – living the moment, lively nature, commitment, carefree attitude, and others. He is undoubtedly the darling of brands. Some of the brands that he represents are Harman JBL, Thums Up, Jio, Eduauraa, Royal Stag, BigMuscles Nutrition, Astral Pipes, Bingo, Ching’s, Kotak Mahindra, Siyaram’s and others.
Alia Bhatt
They hated her, they trolled her and then finally they started liking her. Alia Bhatt has emerged as a popular brand ambassador in the last three years. She is followed by youth and cuts across the age group of 18 – 30 years old. She is associated with brands such as PhonePe, MakeMyTrip, Lux, Nestle, Capresse, JSW Paints, Tresemme, Vicco, and others.
MS Dhoni
He is the legend of Indian cricket has etched a name for himself in the history books. The story of a boy rising from a small town to the highest levels of the game is nothing less than inspirational. Audiences have always loved this story and brands have backed it. Despite retirement from cricket (minus the 20:20 format) Dhoni still represents virtues like leadership, skills, calmness, patience, sportsman spirit, family man, mentor and much more. He has been associated with brands such as India Cements, PokerStar, Oppo, Khatabook, GoDaddy, Snickers and others.
Anushka Sharma
The soon-to-be-mother and a popular Bollywood actor has emerged as a top ambassador this year on the back of Prega News spending heavily on advertising. The brand immediately signed Sharma as she broke the news of her pregnancy and launched a massive campaign with her.
Shraddha Kapoor
She is one of the most under-rated actors of Bollywood and was seen in almost all the big box-office hits of 2018 and 2019. Kapoor has built her brand saliency step-by-step and has emerged as one of the most popular and credible faces of the industry. She represents hard work, persistence, patience, beauty, glamour, fitness and other such virtues. Kapoor represents brands such as The Body Shop, Vogue Eyewear, 2bme, Lakme, Veet, Hair & Care, Hershey’s,
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
