Bollywood star Salman Khan might be able to shake off the many court cases dogging him, but there’s one thing he can’t get over. Six months after announcing his ambassadorial contract with Dubai label Splash was coming to an end, the 50-year-old is back — as its ambassador. And this time he’s got company in the form of actress Katrina Kaif.
The decision to have Khan back as the face of Splash was made after overwhelming demand from his fans, according to Raza Beig, the CEO of Splash and Iconic.
“We received multiple requests from his Arab and Asian fans to bring the association back,” Beig said in a statement. “Katrina was an obvious choice given her global appeal, her talent and impeccable style. Both together appeal to all generations and it is this love for them that we aim to capitalise on in their very first joint brand endorsement.”
Khan and Kaif famously dated in the naughties, with the actress often crediting the star for his guidance.
“I am very happy to represent the brand as an ambassador for the Middle East, a region that has given me and my movies so much love and support. We are in the process of shooting this amazing, high-fashion campaign and I can’t wait for you to see what’s in store this season,” she said about her new role.
Khan added: “I have now been working with Splash in the Middle East for the past three years both in the capacity of a brand ambassador and with my brand Being Human for which Splash is the exclusive retail partner. It has been an exciting and fruitful journey. I look forward to this renewed journey.”
Khan was convicted last year, and eventual acquitted, in a hit-and-run case in Mumbai in 2002, which killed one person. Last month, he was acquitted for two poaching cases from 18 years ago. A third case about Khan’s alleged poaching of endangered blackbucks is yet to be decided and a case involving illegal arms connected to the poaching charges is pending.
None of this has hampered his box office clout, with wrestling drama Sultan, released last month, breaking records. It is now one of the top grossing films of all time in India.
The Splash campaign, featuring Khan and Kaif will debut across platforms on September 1. Another campaign featuring actor Varun Dhawan for Iconic, will also be released soon.
