MAM
Salman Khan meets his past self in Pepsi’s latest TVC
Mumbai: In a bid to double the swag quotient, beverage brand Pepsi has unveiled its latest campaign featuring brand ambassador Salman Khan in a dual role. Bringing back the nostalgia of the 90’s, the TVC showcases the star coming face-to-face with ‘Prem,’ one of his popular characters from the decade. The TVC will be amplified via a robust 360-degree campaign spanning TV, digital, outdoor, and social media.
The ad film opens out on a bungalow that seems to belong to a 90’s Bollywood film set. The narrative hinges on modern-day Salman bumping into his younger version, Prem and the fun banter that ensues between the two Salmans. Thrilled to see his hunky future avatar, Prem engages Salman in a series of questions to know more about his future self.
The brand makes use of hi-tech Deepfake technology to recreate and bring to life the Bollywood character. Sharing his views on the campaign, the director of the ad film Ayappa KM said, “For the first time in Indian advertising, Pepsi has used hi-tech DeepFake technology to resurrect Salman from the 90’s. While it’s a throwback to the past, the tech is a peek into the possibilities of the future.”
“My fans have showered love to all my characters over my career, however Prem has held a special place in their hearts as well as mine,” said Salman Khan. “It brings me great joy to bring back Prem as a blast from the past with Pepsi for my fans for this new campaign.”
“As a culture-curator, Pepsi has constantly endeavored to bring entertaining campaigns for its consumers through innovative storytelling,” said PepsiCo India category lead- cola Saumya Rathor, on the launch. “With Bollywood being a key consumer passion point in India, this new campaign takes the Swag narrative several notches higher by featuring not one but two Salman Khans. For the first time in Indian advertising, we have leveraged hi-tech deep fake technology to recreate one of the most iconic characters of Indian cinema. We are confident that this campaign will resonate strongly with our consumers, given the entertainment quotient in this film.”
“We felt an instant rush when the brief landed on the table – to create a big summer campaign for one of the most legendary brands on the planet, featuring the biggest superstar in the country. Cliched as it may sound, we wanted to break category codes and push all the P’s of marketing to its absolute limit. It was a delight working with those who backed us to the hilt with this idea,” the film’s writer Devaiah Bopanna commented.
Brands
Celsius100 Consulting names Rhys Rufus CEO
Long-time leader steps up as firm bets on continuity to drive next growth phase
BENGALURU: Celsius100 Consulting Private Limited has elevated long-serving leader Rhys Rufus to chief executive officer, marking a leadership shift as the firm prepares for its next phase of growth.
Rufus takes over from founder S Ghosh, who will continue as founder and managing director. In his new role, Ghosh will focus on strategic direction and new business opportunities, while Rufus assumes responsibility for daily operations and growth initiatives.
The appointment caps a 16-year journey for Rufus at the company. Having joined in its early years, he went on to build Celsius100’s digital services arm from scratch, turning it into one of the firm’s fastest-growing verticals. Under his leadership, the company strengthened its capabilities across digital marketing strategy, performance marketing, campaign execution and measurement.
Beyond digital, Rufus has played a key role in shaping the organisation’s talent pool and expanding its client base. He has led business development efforts across India and helped extend the firm’s footprint into the United Kingdom, reinforcing its position as a cross-market consulting partner.
“Rhys has been the backbone of our growth story for 16 years. He built our digital services practice from scratch, assembled a brilliant team, and won the trust of clients in India and the UK. His calm temperament, his deep commitment to quality, and his ability to forge lasting partnerships make him the ideal person to lead Celsius100 into its next chapter. I could not be more confident in this transition,” said Celsius100 Consulting Private Limited founder and managing director S Ghosh.
Rufus struck a reflective note on taking charge. “Celsius100 has been home for the better part of my professional life and I am deeply honoured to take on this responsibility. We have built something unique together over almost two decades, and I look forward to working with our talented team and valued clients to take the company to new heights. Our focus will remain on delivering work that truly transforms our partners’ businesses,” said Rufus.
Colleagues describe Rufus as a steady hand under pressure and a leader who prioritises long-term relationships. His elevation signals a clear bet on continuity, with the company choosing to promote from within rather than look outside for leadership.
As Celsius100 enters its next chapter, the transition reflects both stability and ambition, with a familiar face now steering the firm towards fresh opportunities.
