In a significant ruling, the Rajasthan High Court on Thursday provided major relief to Bollywood stars Shahrukh Khan and Deepika Padukone by upholding the stay on the FIR filed against them. The case stems from an incident in Bharatpur, where the two actors were accused of promoting a defective Hyundai car model. The matter, initially sparked by a car buyer and the company over technical flaws, gained widespread attention after the involvement of the celebrities. The court has now referred the matter for mediation, providing both parties with an opportunity to settle the issue amicably.
The Controversy Behind the Case
The case began in June 2022 when Bharatpur-based lawyer Kirti Singh bought a Hyundai car for about ₹24 lakh. Singh claimed that the car had several issues, particularly when overtaking. The vehicle failed to pick up speed, and the RPM increased with the appearance of a malfunction warning on the odometer. Over the next six to seven months, Singh reported continuous technical faults in the car. The vehicle started vibrating at high speeds, made strange noises, and the engine management system began malfunctioning. On several occasions, Singh narrowly avoided accidents due to these issues.
When Singh took the car to the showroom to file a complaint, the response was that it was a “manufacturing defect” and could not be repaired. Frustrated by the lack of resolution, Singh approached the magistrate court. The court ordered the registration of an FIR, which also included the names of Hyundai officials and celebrities Shahrukh Khan and Deepika Padukone, as they were the brand ambassadors for Hyundai.
The Legal Battle
As soon as the FIR was filed, Shahrukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, Hyundai’s Managing Director Anso Kim, and another company official moved to the Rajasthan High Court. Their petition argued that there were no direct or clear allegations against them. They pointed out that the complainant had used the car for three years and driven it for more than 67,000 kilometers. They also emphasized that if there was a problem with the vehicle, the proper recourse would have been to approach the consumer court, not file an FIR.
The Rajasthan High Court, considering these arguments, initially imposed an interim stay on the FIR on September 10, 2025. On Thursday, the court maintained the stay on the FIR, providing further relief to the actors.
Court’s Mediation Suggestion
Justice Sudesh Bansal’s bench, while hearing the case, suggested that both parties attempt to resolve the matter through mediation before getting embroiled in a lengthy legal battle. The court made it clear that mediation meetings should take place before the next hearing. This suggestion has not only brought relief to Shahrukh and Deepika but has also opened the door for the case to be resolved outside the judicial process.
The court’s decision to refer the case for mediation indicates a preference for settling such disputes amicably, especially when the issues at hand may involve complex commercial and consumer rights matters. By focusing on mediation, the court aims to reduce the burden of prolonged litigation on both the celebrities and the car buyer.
The Unusual Involvement of Celebrities
In typical cases involving technical faults in a product, the responsibility generally lies with the manufacturer or the dealer. However, in this instance, the car buyer decided to hold the brand ambassadors—Shahrukh Khan and Deepika Padukone—accountable for the defective vehicle. This unusual development made the case highly discussed in the media and legal circles.
Legal experts argue that brand ambassadors cannot be held directly responsible for the technical flaws of a product. However, there have been instances in the past where celebrities have faced legal action over misleading advertisements or deceptive promotions. The controversy surrounding Shahrukh and Deepika’s involvement in this case is, therefore, an exceptional one, raising questions about the role of celebrities in endorsing products that may have quality issues.
Brand Ambassadors and Their Responsibility
The legal complexities surrounding brand endorsements have been a subject of debate in India for some time. While celebrities are not directly accountable for product defects, they are expected to ensure that the brands they promote are not misleading or deceptive. If an advertisement misrepresents a product’s quality or fails to meet certain standards, brand ambassadors can, in some cases, be held responsible for endorsing it. However, in this case, the argument put forward by Shahrukh and Deepika’s legal team was that they were not responsible for any technical issues with the car and had no direct involvement in its manufacturing defects.
This legal case highlights the increasing scrutiny faced by celebrities who endorse products, especially when issues such as consumer rights and product quality come into play. It serves as a reminder that brand ambassadors must be cautious about the products they promote and the claims made in advertisements.
The Future of the Case
The ongoing legal process and the court’s decision to refer the matter for mediation bring a glimmer of hope that the issue might be resolved without further escalation. Both Shahrukh Khan and Deepika Padukone have faced considerable media attention and scrutiny over this case, despite their roles being limited to endorsing the product. If the mediation process leads to a settlement, it could set a precedent for resolving similar cases involving brand ambassadors and product defects.
At this point, the case remains in its early stages, with both sides still engaged in legal proceedings. The outcome of the mediation process could determine whether the matter is dropped or whether the celebrities and the company will be required to face further legal action.
Legal Precedents for Celebrity Endorsements
This case also brings attention to the growing trend of legal action against celebrities for their role in advertising campaigns. In the past, various celebrities have been targeted for endorsing products that did not meet consumer expectations. For example, in some instances, celebrities have faced backlash for promoting health-related products that were later found to be ineffective or harmful. As a result, this case involving Shahrukh Khan and Deepika Padukone is likely to have broader implications for future celebrity endorsements in India.
While the law does not specifically hold brand ambassadors accountable for the technical defects in the products they endorse, the increasing focus on consumer rights and product accountability may lead to more stringent regulations in the future. This case serves as a reminder to celebrities and their teams to carefully vet the products they choose to endorse and ensure that the claims made in advertisements are backed by facts.
The Rajasthan High Court’s decision to stay the FIR against Shahrukh Khan and Deepika Padukone is a significant legal development. It not only provides relief to the actors but also signals the court’s preference for mediation over prolonged legal battles. As the case progresses, the role of celebrities in product endorsements and the potential legal risks they face will continue to be a key point of discussion.
The case also highlights the importance of transparency in advertising and the responsibility of brands and their ambassadors to ensure that their promotions are truthful and accurate. If the case is resolved through mediation, it could set a valuable precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future, offering a more balanced approach to resolving disputes between consumers, companies, and endorsers.
For Shahrukh Khan and Deepika Padukone, the outcome of this case may have a lasting impact on their future brand endorsement strategies. For now, they have been given a much-needed respite by the court, and the opportunity for a peaceful resolution through mediation offers hope for both parties involved.
