Painted in glory Berger turns 50 years of superstardom into murals

MUMBAI: Some jubilees call for speeches. This one called for a fresh coat of legend. Berger Paints India, in collaboration with Sun TV, has marked a superstar’s 50 glittering years in cinema by trading red carpets for murals, unveiling a sweeping artistic tribute that blends fandom, film history and colour on a monumental scale.

Titled 50 Years of Stardom, the showcase brings together 50 vibrant murals, anchored by a striking 40-foot Master Mural, to celebrate a career that has spanned five decades and multiple generations of moviegoers. From his early screen appearances to his status as a cultural constant, the tribute traces a journey defined by reinvention, mass appeal and enduring relevance.

The centrepiece was unveiled at the VELS Trade & Convention Centre in Chennai, where leading film personalities gathered to reveal a mural that does more than depict iconic moments. Embedded within it are 50 messages sourced from fans across India, each reflecting personal memories, favourite roles and the emotional imprint of a career that has crossed regional and national boundaries.

Alongside the Master Mural, a curated gallery of artworks revisits the superstar’s most memorable on-screen eras, capturing shifts in style, persona and storytelling through bold colours and visual motifs inspired by Tamil Nadu’s cultural fabric.

The project also leans into scale. After its Chennai debut, the murals will travel across Tamil Nadu as part of a “Mural Yatra”, supported by Berger Paints’ retail network. The idea is to take the celebration beyond galleries and venues, bringing it directly into neighbourhoods and public spaces across the state.

The initiative has drawn participation from across Berger Paints’ ecosystem, with more than 2,000 dealers, over 22,000 applicators and 1,000-plus engineers involved in what the company describes as an industry-first effort.

For Berger Paints, which marks 100 years in India, the parallel is deliberate. A century-old brand celebrating a 50-year cinematic journey underscores a shared narrative of longevity, evolution and trust built over time.

As the murals set off on their state-wide journey, the message is clear: some legacies are best remembered not just on screen, but painted large enough for an entire generation to walk past, pause and look up.