MAM
McDonald’s India NE names Sara Arjun brand ambassador
Actor returns for nostalgic Buddy Meal campaign at Rs 119 for two.
MUMBAI: Sara Arjun just came home to McDonald’s because some love stories start with a childhood ad and end with sharing fries as grown-ups. McDonald’s India – North and East has appointed actor Sara Arjun as its brand ambassador, bringing her back to the brand that first captured her on screen as a child. The collaboration launches with a playful TVC introducing the Buddy Meal, a value offering priced at Rs 119 for two burgers (McAloo Tikki or Veg Surprise), two Cokes and one medium fries.
The film recreates the classic “girlfriend-boyfriend” banter from her original McDonald’s ad, with Sara joking about today’s “demanding” relationships before her buddy admits he just wants a simple McAloo Tikki. The voiceover lands the punch: “Shukar hai McDonald’s Buddy Meal for 2 hai… starts at just Rs 119,” closing on the tagline “Khao Meal, Baat Karo”, a celebration of uncomplicated joy and shared moments.
MMG Group and CPRL vice chairman Anant Agarwal said, “Sara’s return to McDonald’s is a wonderful reminder of the deep emotional connections many customers have grown up with. With the Buddy Meal, we are celebrating friendship, nostalgia and the simple joy of sharing a McDonald’s meal together at great value.”
Sara Arjun added, “McDonald’s has been a special part of my journey since childhood. Returning to the brand for this campaign feels incredibly nostalgic. The Buddy Meal captures the simple joy of sharing food and laughter with friends.”
Available for a limited period across McDonald’s restaurants in North and East India via dine-in, takeaway, drive-thru, the McDonald’s App and leading delivery platforms, the Buddy Meal taps into the brand’s legacy of creating relatable, feel-good moments.
In a fast-food world chasing trends, McDonald’s brings back a familiar face and a simple truth: sometimes the best dates don’t need grand gestures just good burgers, cold drinks and great company at a price that leaves everyone smiling.
Brands
Kedar Apte exits Mahindra as EV charging head
Senior vice-president steps down as EV infra push gathers pace
MUMBAI: Kedar Apte has stepped down from Mahindra Group, where he served as senior vice-president and head of EV charging infrastructure, marking another leadership shift as the company accelerates its electric mobility ambitions.
Apte’s departure brings to a close a two-year stint that saw him move across diverse parts of the business, from tractors to charging grids. He joined Mahindra in 2023 to oversee international operations for its farm equipment division, with full profit and loss responsibility.
A year later, he was handed the reins of the group’s EV charging infrastructure business, a role that sits at the heart of Mahindra’s plans to plug into India’s fast-growing electric vehicle ecosystem. His exit comes at a time when automakers are doubling down on charging networks, widely seen as a key hurdle in driving mass EV adoption.
Reflecting on his tenure, Apte said, “My last three years with Mahindra have been super busy and enriching. From managing farm international business to setting up EV charging, there has never been a dull day.
As I close this chapter of my career next week, I take back a lot of learnings, cherished friendships and tons of great memories.
Thanks to all the leaders for their guidance and support and to all my colleagues for making this stint worthwhile. I start an exciting chapter of my career next week and I can’t wait for the adventure to start.”
Before Mahindra, Apte was chief marketing officer at Jio-bp, a joint venture between Reliance Industries and bp, where he worked at the crossroads of traditional fuel retail and new-age mobility solutions.
Earlier, he spent nearly a decade at Castrol, holding senior roles across marketing and sales, including chief marketing officer for India and the subcontinent, and sales director for markets spanning the Middle East, Pakistan and Egypt.
He began his career at Hindustan Unilever, spending close to ten years rising through the sales ranks, eventually managing a regional business with revenues exceeding Rs 3,000 crore.
While Mahindra has not yet announced a successor, Apte’s exit comes at a pivotal moment, as the race to build reliable charging infrastructure gathers speed and competition in the EV lane intensifies.
