Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone are facing legal complications after an FIR (First Information Report) was filed against them, along with six others from Hyundai, concerning a fraud case involving an allegedly defective vehicle. The complaint was lodged by Kirti Singh, a resident of Bharatpur, Rajasthan, who claimed that the Hyundai car she purchased had technical issues from the very first day. Despite repeated attempts to address these concerns with the company, Singh alleges that no resolution was provided.

The inclusion of Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone in the FIR stems from their roles as brand ambassadors for Hyundai. Under Indian law, brand ambassadors can be held liable if a product they endorse is found to be defective or misleading. The Consumer Protection Act of 2019 empowers the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) to impose penalties on endorsers for false or misleading advertisements. Singh stated that she purchased the car based on advertisements featuring the two actors.

Singh initially brought the matter before the CJM Court No. 2 in Bharatpur as a private complaint. The court subsequently directed the Mathura Gate Police Station to register an FIR. Consequently, a case has been registered under Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code, which pertains to cheating, along with other relevant sections. The Mathura Gate police have initiated an investigation into the matter.

Shah Rukh Khan's association with Hyundai India dates back to 1998, coinciding with the launch of the Hyundai Santro in the Indian market. He has since been featured in numerous campaigns, including the launch of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 electric SUV at Auto Expo 2023. Deepika Padukone became a brand ambassador for Hyundai in December 2023. The two actors recently appeared together in an advertisement for the 2024 Hyundai Creta.

According to reports, Singh purchased the Hyundai Alcazar in June 2022 for ₹23,97,353 (approximately $30,000 USD) from Malwa Auto Sales Private Limited in Sonipat, Haryana. Singh reported that after driving the car for 6-7 months, technical faults began to surface, including unusual noises and vibrations at high speeds, as well as malfunctions in the engine management system. Singh claims the agency told him that the issues were a manufacturing defect that could not be fixed.

The Supreme Court had previously ruled that both advertisers and endorsers could be held responsible for misleading advertisements. Social media reactions to the FIR have been varied, with some users believing that the issue is not a major one for the actors and could be resolved through a penalty, car replacement, or repairs. Others are curious about whether this controversy will impact the box office performance of their upcoming films.

In addition to Khan and Padukone, the FIR reportedly names Hyundai's Managing Director Ansoo Kim, COO Tarun Garg, and the directors of Malwa Auto Sales Pvt Ltd.