Nowadays, when India-Pakistan cricket match comes near, Indians feel the famous ‘Mauka Mauka’ advertisement by heart. The sound evolves now as a chant that finds on many Indian cricket fans’ mouth.
It all started from 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup in Australia when both teams faced each other in their opening game of the tournament. Prior to that game, Star Sports initiated that new ad which gained huge popularity among the Indians. The popularity forced Star Sports to extend that ad campaign for the further period in the tournament.
The unknown face Vishal Malhotra gained huge popularity from that ad campaign, who portrayed the Pakistani guy. Since that famous ‘Mauka Mauka’ campaign, Malhotra is famously known as the ‘Mauka Mauka’ guy.
Talking about that famous ad campaign, Malhotra told according to the Sportstar, “There are so many memories attached to it. It came so suddenly, and I did not expect it to go that far, but it helped my career grow immensely. Even today, people ask me whether I am really the ‘Mauka Mauka’ guy? It feels good to be noticed.”
Malhotra played the Pakistani guy role in that ad campaign which he didn’t hesitate to take that challenge as he had an opportunity to earn between INR 20,000 and INR 25,000 in a day.
He said on that, “I have never thought along those lines. For me, it was all about getting a break and finding my feet. I was not scared or anything because those things did not matter… I needed to pay my bills and for that, I decided to take up the offer.”
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Malhotra was an engineer, lived in Bengaluru before he landed in Mumbai to pursue his dream as an actor. After almost two years of stay in Mumbai, the mid 20’s guy gained that ‘Mauka Mauka’ opportunity.
Recalling his memory on that opportunity, Malhotra told, “I got a call from an unknown casting agency, and I was asked to come for a look test for some promotion ahead of India-Pakistan match. I just went for the test.”
More than 100 actors were auditioned for that project but Malhotra was selected for that role after his body structure met the criteria.
Malhotra said, “My body structure is such that I have similarities with Pathans, Afghanis… and that’s what worked for me. Since I come from a Punjabi family, getting into the character was easy.”
Malhotra also revealed that the entire shoot was done in Mumbai while it looked like they shot in Karachi, Pakistan.
Talking about some challenges during that ad campaign, Malhotra said, “My screen age was older than my real age. It was challenging, but it was a good break for me.
“We were shooting in Marine Drive, when a policeman thought that I was actually coming from Karachi. I had a box of firecrackers with me, which scared him further. He asked me what I was doing there. Then, the directorial team had to intervene and convince the cop. He still was under the impression that I was a Pakistani who had come to Mumbai.”
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Since that ad campaign, Malhotra becomes famous in public where he has been noticed hugely and appreciated for his efforts.
He said, “I went to a club in Mumbai and people started appreciating my efforts. By then, people started liking the advertisement. After the match got over, people started calling out, ‘Arey, woh dekho ‘Mauka’ banda jaa raha hai (Look, it’s the ‘Mauka’ guy).’”
“In between, I went to the Wagah border with my family and could see everyone talking about the ‘Mauka Mauka’ campaign. People even walked up to me for selfies.”
While the ‘Mauka Mauka’ campaign extended, Malhotra returned to the campaign from the third advertisement as he wasn’t featured in the second ad of that campaign. Prior to the World Cup quarterfinals, Malhotra shot with the renowned Bollywood actor Sanjay Mishra.
Talking about that shot, “We would shoot near Victoria Terminus — which is the heart of the city — and people would often gather to take selfies. I had to literally manage the crowd and convince them that I was an Indian,”
After gaining fame from that ad campaign, Malhotra has featured in some Bollywood movies like Sanam Re, Ragini MMS 2, 1920 London etc. and has also featured in some daily soaps (Notable: Ye Pyar Nahi Toh Kya Hai).
Malhotra said, “I got a lot of offers after that campaign, but that is where it all started. It was a great learning experience.”
Initially, Malhotra wasn’t a cricket fan and he is more interested in Formula One. But since that ad campaign, he started liking cricket and is following the ongoing the Asia Cup tournament in UAE where he wants India to win the tournament.
