Why Prahlad Kakkar picked Aamir Khan over Shah Rukh Khan for an ad – even at double the price

In a recent interview, Prahlad Kakkar revealed that Aamir Khan said yes to the ad after six months of negotiation. He quoted ₹17 lakh for the same.

There was a time when Shah Rukh Khan was short of ₹6 lakh to buy his iconic mansion Mannat in Mumbai, and quoted that amount to adman Prahlad Kakkar. But his ad film woes led him to pass on Shah Rukh's cheaper option, opting instead for Aamir Khan's pricier package of ₹17 lakh.

Aamir over Shah Rukh

Prahlad Kakkar seems to be referring to the Pepsi ad featuring Mahima Chaudhry and Aishwarya Rai.

In an interview with Vickey Lalwani, filmmaker Prahlad Kakar looked back at his career, and recounted an incident when he had to choose between Aamir and Shah Rukh.

Prahlad said, “Aamir was charging some ₹17 lakhs and Shah Rukh was only charging ₹6 Lakh at that time. And why Shah Rukh was charging ₹6 Lakh was also because he was short of ₹6 Lakh for buying his house (Mannat). So he said, I am short of ₹6 Lakh, you give me and I will do the ad. So I said he is not right for the film. I wanted someone who had the image of an actor. Money was not my concern.”

Shah Rukh made his Bollywood debut in 1992 with Deewana. In the same year, Chamatkar, Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman, and Dil Aashna Hai also hit the theatres. Shah Rukh went on to carve a special place for himself in showbiz by working on projects such as Baazigar, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Swades, and Jab Tak Hai Jaan. He was last seen in Dunki (2023). Shah Rukh will be making a cameo appearance in his son Aryan Khan’s debut directorial, The Ba**ds of Bollywood.

Meanwhile, Aamir first appeared on screen as a child actor in Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973). As an adult, his first feature film role was in Holi (1984). He began his acting career with a leading role in Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988). He is credited for projects such as Rangeela, Raja Hindustani, Sarfarosh, Lagaan, Dil Chahta Hai, Fanaa, Rang De Basanti, Taare Zameen Par, 3 Idiot, PK and Dangal. Aamir was last seen in a special appearance in Rajinikanth-starrer Coolie, written and directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj. He will also feature in Aryan Khan’s directorial debut, Ba***ds of Bollywood, which is set to release on Netflix on September 18.