Everyone knows how talented Mahendra Singh Dhoni is on the cricket field with his bat. But what many people may not know is that the former Indian cricket team captain also has impressive acting skills.
The 2007 Ad That Surprised Everyone
A 2007 ad for an electronics brand showed Dhoni’s hidden talent. In the ad, he appeared with Shah Rukh Khan, and both were asked to swap roles—playing each other’s real-life roles on screen. It gave a fun glimpse into Dhoni’s surprising acting skills.
A Classic Bollywood-Inspired Plot
The main plot: Two brothers were separated in childhood. One was raised by a movie-loving family, the other by a cricket-obsessed one. The twist? Dhoni played the actor, while Shah Rukh took on the role of a cricketer—adding a fun and unexpected spin to the story.
Creators Sumanto Chattopadhyay, Sukesh Nayak, and Heeral Desai told ETBrandEquity that the entire shoot was full of fun and laughter, making it a joyful experience for everyone on set.
Team Effort Behind the Scenes
Sukesh Nayak recalled that the entire shoot was filled with laughter and fun. It wasn’t just Shah Rukh or Dhoni, but everyone on set shared light moments, making it an enjoyable experience for the whole team.
Dhoni’s Natural Acting Talent Shines Through
Sumanto Chattopadhyay shared that discovering Dhoni’s acting talent was a pleasant surprise for the team. Back then, Dhoni hadn’t appeared in many advertisements, so there were uncertainties about his performance. However, he impressed everyone with his natural acting skills.
Heeral Desai shared a similar view, recalling how Dhoni stood out as a star on the set. His impressive presence and performance may have even caught Shah Rukh Khan by surprise.
A Nod to Om Shanti Om
The ad was shot around the release of Om Shanti Om, Farah Khan’s film starring SRK. Since the movie’s soundtrack was already out, its songs were used in the ad. Interestingly, Dhoni’s character in the ad was also inspired by Shah Rukh’s role in the film.
According to Nayak, there were fun moments on set where Shah Rukh showed Dhoni how he’d perform certain dance moves, while Dhoni, in return, demonstrated his signature on-field gestures. Their exchange amused everyone present—from the costume and make-up crew to the director—adding a lively vibe to the shoot.
How the Idea Was Born
The makers were initially told to create a corporate film featuring Dhoni and SRK. During a brainstorming session, the team came up with the concept of role reversal. With Om Shanti Om about to release and both stars being hugely popular, the idea naturally fell into place.
Given that cricket and Bollywood are deeply cherished in India, the ad drew inspiration from both. It played on the classic Bollywood trope of two brothers separated in childhood, raised in very different worlds, and reuniting later—reminiscent of Amar Akbar Anthony. This familiar theme made it instantly relatable to Indian audiences.
The 2007 Ad That Surprised Everyone
A 2007 ad for an electronics brand showed Dhoni’s hidden talent. In the ad, he appeared with Shah Rukh Khan, and both were asked to swap roles—playing each other’s real-life roles on screen. It gave a fun glimpse into Dhoni’s surprising acting skills.
A Classic Bollywood-Inspired Plot
The main plot: Two brothers were separated in childhood. One was raised by a movie-loving family, the other by a cricket-obsessed one. The twist? Dhoni played the actor, while Shah Rukh took on the role of a cricketer—adding a fun and unexpected spin to the story.
Creators Sumanto Chattopadhyay, Sukesh Nayak, and Heeral Desai told ETBrandEquity that the entire shoot was full of fun and laughter, making it a joyful experience for everyone on set.
Team Effort Behind the Scenes
Sukesh Nayak recalled that the entire shoot was filled with laughter and fun. It wasn’t just Shah Rukh or Dhoni, but everyone on set shared light moments, making it an enjoyable experience for the whole team.
Dhoni’s Natural Acting Talent Shines Through
Sumanto Chattopadhyay shared that discovering Dhoni’s acting talent was a pleasant surprise for the team. Back then, Dhoni hadn’t appeared in many advertisements, so there were uncertainties about his performance. However, he impressed everyone with his natural acting skills.
Heeral Desai shared a similar view, recalling how Dhoni stood out as a star on the set. His impressive presence and performance may have even caught Shah Rukh Khan by surprise.
A Nod to Om Shanti Om
The ad was shot around the release of Om Shanti Om, Farah Khan’s film starring SRK. Since the movie’s soundtrack was already out, its songs were used in the ad. Interestingly, Dhoni’s character in the ad was also inspired by Shah Rukh’s role in the film.
According to Nayak, there were fun moments on set where Shah Rukh showed Dhoni how he’d perform certain dance moves, while Dhoni, in return, demonstrated his signature on-field gestures. Their exchange amused everyone present—from the costume and make-up crew to the director—adding a lively vibe to the shoot.
How the Idea Was Born
The makers were initially told to create a corporate film featuring Dhoni and SRK. During a brainstorming session, the team came up with the concept of role reversal. With Om Shanti Om about to release and both stars being hugely popular, the idea naturally fell into place.
Given that cricket and Bollywood are deeply cherished in India, the ad drew inspiration from both. It played on the classic Bollywood trope of two brothers separated in childhood, raised in very different worlds, and reuniting later—reminiscent of Amar Akbar Anthony. This familiar theme made it instantly relatable to Indian audiences.
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