Pepsi signs Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda for new youth campaign

MUMBAI: When the teaser promised the “biggest trailer yet”, the internet expected a movie drop. Instead, it got a fridge full of cola. Pepsi has brought Gen Z actors Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda into the Pepsi family, signalling the start of a new youth focused campaign from Pepsico India. The duo will headline the brand’s upcoming campaign, which kicked off with a social media teaser that quickly turned into a playful pop culture moment.

Ahead of the official reveal, the two actors sparked curiosity online by hinting at their “biggest trailer yet”. The twist, however, was a clever bait and switch, instead of a film preview, the reveal showcased a fully decked out Pepsi Vanity Trailer, turning the idea of a “trailer” into a literal pop culture hangout space.

The branded trailer, styled with industrial inspired interiors, signature Pepsi visuals and a fully stocked Pepsi refrigerator, was designed as a youth friendly social space blending fandom, lifestyle and the brand’s playful attitude.

Pepsi has historically positioned itself at the centre of youth culture in India, frequently collaborating with emerging talents who resonate with younger audiences. By onboarding Panday and Padda, the brand is leaning into a generation that consumes and shapes pop culture in real time through social media and digital platforms.

Pepsico India Brand Lead for Pepsi Cola Mohak Bhatia said the announcement was intentionally designed to cut through the clutter of traditional brand partnerships. “Pepsi has always partnered with gen next talent who shape youth culture rather than simply reflect it. With two of the biggest Bollywood debuts of 2025, we didn’t want a routine announcement. Flipping the idea of the ‘biggest trailer yet’ felt like a fresh way to shake up social feeds,” he said.

For Panday, the association marks a personal milestone as he begins his journey in mainstream cinema. “Pepsi has always been the heartbeat of cool in India. Being associated with the brand at this stage of my journey feels incredibly special,” he said.

Padda echoed the sentiment, describing the campaign as a natural fit. “Pepsi embodies that fearless confidence I live for. The campaign feels playful, spontaneous and full of energy,” she said.

The collaboration reflects Pepsi’s continued focus on aligning with emerging youth icons and tapping into the evolving dynamics of pop culture conversations in India.