Realme — the Chinese smartphone brand founded in 2018 as a sub-brand of OPPO and later spun off as an independent entity — entered India at a remarkable pace, becoming one of the country’s top five smartphone brands within just two years of launch. A key driver of that explosive growth, alongside disruptive pricing and strong product specifications, was Realme’s celebrity ambassador strategy. From its very first ambassador appointment in 2019, Realme has consistently chosen Bollywood superstars whose personal stories align with the brand’s core philosophy: ‘Dare to Leap.’

Realme’s ambassadors have always been selected to reflect authenticity, ambition, and a willingness to challenge the status quo — values that resonate strongly with the brand’s primary audience of aspirational young Indians aged 18 to 30. In 2026, Realme holds an 11% market share in India (Counterpoint Research, Q1 2025), and its ambassador roster remains a vital pillar of its emotional connection with consumers.

Realme

Current Brand Ambassador of Realme India: Vicky Kaushal (July 2025–Present)

On July 8, 2025, Realme India announced National Award-winning actor Vicky Kaushal as its new brand ambassador for the smartphone portfolio. The appointment was confirmed by PTI and widely covered across tech and marketing media. The announcement was timed to coincide with the launch of the realme 15 Series, which went live on July 24, 2025.

The campaign built around the association is titled ‘Live for Real’ — a natural evolution of Realme’s longstanding ‘Make it Real’ brand philosophy. Vicky Kaushal was chosen for his deep connection with both Gen Z and millennial audiences, his reputation for authenticity, and his remarkable personal journey from a middle-class Mumbai family to one of Bollywood’s most celebrated actors.

Notable Past Brand Ambassadors of Realme India

Shah Rukh Khan — Realme 11 Pro Series (May 2023–2025)

In May 2023, Realme made its biggest ambassador announcement to date: Bollywood’s global superstar Shah Rukh Khan was appointed brand ambassador for the realme smartphone category, debuting with the realme 11 Pro Series 5G launch. It was one of the most high-profile celebrity-brand associations in India’s smartphone industry that year, covered by Campaign India, Business Today, Smartprix, and dozens of major publications.

The debut campaign included a nine-minute web episode titled ‘Zooming in with Real SRK,’ co-produced with popular technology YouTuber Technical Guruji (Gaurav Chaudhary). In the video, SRK offered candid glimpses into his personal preferences — presented in a relaxed, interview-style format that resonated authentically with Realme’s audience. Realme also offered a limited Shah Rukh Khan-signed edition of the Realme 14 Pro to lucky buyers, further leveraging the association. SRK’s ‘dare-to-leap spirit’ and his personal brand of confidence and resilience were cited as key reasons for the appointment by Realme India CMO Tao.

Salman Khan — Realme 6, 7 & 8 Series (February 2020–2021)

Realme’s first superstar endorsement came in February 2020 when Salman Khan was announced as brand ambassador for the realme 6 and realme 6 Pro — marking the first time in Salman Khan’s career that he had endorsed a smartphone brand. Madhav Sheth, CEO of Realme India at the time, explained the choice clearly: Salman Khan’s appeal spans ‘various regions and demographic profiles of India,’ directly matching Realme’s mass-market positioning. The campaign was built around the taglines ‘Power Meets Style’ and ‘Stay Real,’ and Salman subsequently extended the association to cover the Realme 7 and Realme 8 series as well. The partnership lasted through 2020–2021 and is regarded as one of the most commercially impactful brand ambassador campaigns in Realme India’s history.

Ayushmann Khurrana — Realme’s First Ever Ambassador (2019)

Before Salman Khan, Realme India’s first brand ambassador was Bollywood actor and singer Ayushmann Khurrana, appointed in 2019 under the original ‘Dare to Leap’ positioning. Ayushmann — known for his unconventional film choices and his appeal to progressive, educated urban audiences — was a natural fit for a brand trying to establish a bold, youth-first identity. He fronted several Realme campaigns promoting the brand’s early smartphone lineup and its philosophy of challenging conventions.

Shahid Kapoor — NARZO 70 Pro 5G Product Ambassador (March 2024)

In March 2024, Realme appointed Bollywood actor Shahid Kapoor as the product ambassador specifically for the NARZO 70 Pro 5G — a phone positioned as setting new standards in low-light photography. The campaign highlighted the phone’s camera capabilities and targeted millennial and Gen Z demographics. Realme CMO Tao Zhang said the partnership underscored Realme’s commitment to innovation and excellence, while Shahid Kapoor expressed enthusiasm for representing a brand that mirrors ‘the vibrant spirit of today’s youth.’

Shraddha Kapoor — Realme AIoT Products (Chief Lifestyle Officer, 2020)

Alongside Salman Khan’s smartphone appointment, Realme also onboarded actress Shraddha Kapoor in 2020 as a lifestyle ambassador for its AIoT product range — including Realme Band, Realme Buds, and smart accessories. Her role was framed as ‘Chief Lifestyle Officer,’ reflecting the brand’s ambition to be seen as more than a smartphone company. Her youthful energy and strong social media presence made her an effective bridge between Realme’s devices and the lifestyle aspirations of young Indian consumers.

Complete Timeline: Realme India Brand Ambassadors (2019–2026)

Year Ambassador Product / Campaign
2019 Ayushmann Khurrana Realme smartphones — first-ever brand ambassador. Campaign: ‘Dare to Leap’
Feb 2020 Salman Khan Realme 6 & 6 Pro — first smartphone brand for Salman. Campaign: ‘Power Meets Style / Stay Real’
2020–2021 Salman Khan Extended to Realme 7 and Realme 8 series
2020 Shraddha Kapoor Realme AIoT (Band, Buds, accessories) — Chief Lifestyle Officer
May 2023 Shah Rukh Khan Realme 11 Pro Series 5G — brand ambassador. Campaign: ‘Zooming in with Real SRK’
2023–2025 Shah Rukh Khan Extended through Realme 12 Pro, 13 Pro, 14 Pro series
Mar 2024 Shahid Kapoor NARZO 70 Pro 5G — product ambassador. Focus: low-light photography
Jul 2025 Vicky Kaushal Realme 15 Series — brand ambassador. Campaign: ‘Live for Real’

Why Realme’s Ambassador Strategy Has Driven Brand Growth in India

Realme’s celebrity endorsement strategy has been consistently guided by one principle: choose celebrities who genuinely embody the ‘Dare to Leap’ spirit rather than simply those with the largest fame. This approach has resulted in ambassador choices that feel authentic to Realme’s target audience:

  • Ayushmann Khurrana brought credibility with progressive urban youth who connect with his unconventional career path.
  • Salman Khan delivered massive pan-India reach across Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, directly matching Realme’s volume market.
  • Shah Rukh Khan elevated the brand’s premium perception and global aspiration during the important 2023–2025 period.
  • Vicky Kaushal now carries the ‘authenticity-first’ baton for the realme 15 Series era — connecting the brand with India’s next generation of aspirational buyers.

FAQs: Brand Ambassador of Realme Mobile India

Q1. Who is the current brand ambassador of Realme India in 2026?

Vicky Kaushal is the current brand ambassador of Realme India, appointed on July 8, 2025. He fronts the realme 15 Series campaign under the tagline ‘Live for Real.’

Q2. Who was Realme’s first brand ambassador in India?

Ayushmann Khurrana was Realme India’s first brand ambassador, appointed in 2019 under the brand’s foundational ‘Dare to Leap’ philosophy.

Q3. Did Shah Rukh Khan endorse Realme phones?

Yes. Shah Rukh Khan was appointed as Realme India’s brand ambassador in May 2023 for the Realme 11 Pro Series 5G. His association extended through the Realme 12 Pro, 13 Pro, and 14 Pro series until Vicky Kaushal took over in July 2025.

Conclusion

Realme India’s brand ambassador journey — from Ayushmann Khurrana’s debut in 2019 to Vicky Kaushal’s ‘Live for Real’ campaign in 2025–2026 — reflects the brand’s consistent ambition: to pair its technology with celebrities whose authentic personal stories make the ‘Dare to Leap’ philosophy feel real and attainable to millions of young Indian consumers. With an 11% market share and a lineup that spans from budget 5G devices to camera-focused premium phones, Realme’s ambassador strategy remains one of the most dynamic and effective in India’s competitive smartphone market.

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