Veteran filmmaker Karan Johar sent social media into a frenzy on Monday after posting a video teasing “MS Dhoni in a romantic avatar.” The post, styled like a film announcement, left fans wondering whether the former Indian cricket captain was set to debut in a Bollywood movie produced by Dharma Productions.
“Dramatic drumroll, please! Presenting MS Dhoni—our newest lover boy!” Karan wrote in his caption, fueling speculation. He added, “But wait, Mahi’s love for his bike isn’t new. And now, thanks to Gulf Pride & Punit’s fabulous storytelling, the world finally gets a front-row seat to this blockbuster love affair! Pure cinematic magic!”
eHowever, the romantic teaser is not a movie trailer but part of a creative campaign for Gulf Pride engine oil. The video is an ad featuring Dhoni’s well-known love for motorcycles, brought to life in a film-style format by director Punit Malhotra and Dharma 2.0.
While the visuals are real and star MS Dhoni himself—not AI-generated—the cricketer is not venturing into full-fledged cinema, at least not yet. The campaign positions Dhoni as a ‘lover boy’—but for his bikes, not in a Bollywood romance.
The confusion arose due to the cinematic presentation and Karan Johar’s signature storytelling flair, which caught even die-hard fans off guard. Nonetheless, the buzz has proven that when it comes to Dhoni, even an ad can feel like a blockbuster premiere.
