Anil Kapoor Revives Iconic “Mr. India” Persona in Google Pixel Ad, Rekindling Nostalgia

Renowned actor Anil Kapoor has resurrected his iconic character, Mr. India, from Shekhar Kapur’s 1987 film, almost four decades after its release. However, this comeback is not for a sequel, but rather for a Google Pixel commercial.

In this fresh advertisement, viewers witness Jugal, a character originally portrayed by Arun Verma (Anil Kapoor’s role as Mr. India), as he ventures into a daunting mansion. During his inadvertent exploration, he accidentally knocks over an intricate vase, seemingly destined to shatter on the floor. Yet, to everyone’s astonishment, the vase defies gravity and repositions itself back onto the shelf. The iconic Mr. India character, portrayed by Anil Kapoor in his role as Arun Verma, then magically materializes thanks to a special bracelet. As Anil Kapoor appears on screen, the familiar Mr. India theme music resounds in the background.

As the commercial unfolds, Arun and Jugal discover a Google Pixel smartphone, with Anil Kapoor providing a voiceover highlighting the device’s features. The advertisement tantalizingly concludes with the words “To be continued” flashing across the screen, suggesting a continuation of the narrative.

Anil Kapoor shared the video on his Instagram account on Saturday, along with the caption, “The beauty of time, the thing that makes it so precious, is that it never stands still. Our lives are full of highs and lows, appearances and disappearances… Mr. India is a phenomenon that even time could not erase, simultaneously a ghost and the most genuine character I have ever portrayed. And now, 38 years later, Mr. India makes a return with the Google #Pixel8! In flesh and unfiltered, embodying the time-tested and timeless spirit of Arun Verma, here to entertain and thrill you once more. So keep a keen eye on the screen because this superhero is known to vanish in the blink of an eye (wink emoji).”