Anand Mahindra’s wish comes true

Anand Mahindra, chairman of Mahindra Group, is a happy man. The industrialist had requested the producers of Rajinikanth’s film Kaala to give the Thar off-roader SUV used in the movie to him almost a year ago.

The businessman had seen the superstar resting on a Thar and was determined to have it as a collector’s item. After the release of the film, Dhanush, who bankrolled Kaala, duly obliged, gifting the SUV to Anand. The vehicle is now on display at the Chennai Mahindra Research Valley.

After seeing the news, many people pointed out that the vehicle was indeed photoshopped. Some found out that the SUV’s number plate — MH 01 BR 1956 — in the poster was actually registered to a humble Piaggio Ape cargo delivery van in Mumbai. Anand, convinced of the SUV’s true value, remained unfazed. He has said, “The car that was photoshopped is still a collector’s item!” He added, “The Thar is honoured to be chosen as the Superstar’s chariot.”

Anand took to Twitter again to announce that Dhanush, true to his word, had gifted him the vehicle. Tagging Dhanush, he posted, “Remember I wanted the Thar used for the poster shot of Kaala for our museum? Well Dhanush obliged and it is safe at Mahindra Research Valley in Chennai. I asked our folks to strike a ‘Thalaivar’ pose and look what fun they had. Bala, the guy in the lungi, is now known as ‘Kaala Bala’.”