Ranveer Singh and Prakash Padukone’s RuPay ad draws attention online

Ranveer Singh has shared the screen with his father-in-law, badminton legend Prakash Padukone, for the first time in a new advertisement for RuPay. The campaign leans into a warm, everyday narrative, presenting the duo in a relaxed, relatable setting.

The ad follows a slice-of-life format, showing the two enjoying a fun day out, from shopping at stores to visiting a theatre, while highlighting how a payments app can be used across different touchpoints.

While the ad is positioned as a light-hearted portrayal of a father-in-law and son-in-law bonding, it is a brief visual detail that has captured the internet’s attention.

In a scene set at a cinema counter, a movie poster is clearly visible with the title “Bhavandar: The Tornado”. Many users have interpreted this as a cheeky, indirect response to YouTuber Dhruv Rathee, who had earlier criticised Ranveer’s film Dhurandhar and even created a satirical take titled “Operation Bhavandar”.

Users began dissecting the detail, with reactions like “this is so meta… Bhavandar,” and “peak detailing by Ranveer.” Others wrote “wait, the movie poster says Bhavandar?” and “they really slipped that in there.”

Some users commented “Ranveer Singh in his latest ad roasted Dhruv Rathee’s Bhavandar which he made for criticising Dhurandhar,” while others kept it light, saying “Ranveer doesn’t miss these details,” and “I see what y'all did there!!!.”

wait i’m crying the movie advertised behind them is BHAVANDAR ? https://t.co/LCNdEPURGF pic.twitter.com/wWMXe6V2tI

— nina (@ceoaragon) April 13, 2026

At its core, the campaign remains a simple, relationship-driven ad. However, the reaction to the “Bhavandar” detail highlights how modern audiences engage with advertising by not just watching, but by decoding. From casting choices to background elements, every layer is open to interpretation.

In an era where viewers pause, zoom and analyse frames, even minor creative elements can take on a life of their own. The heightened attention around the ad also comes at a time when Ranveer Singh has been consistently in the spotlight following the buzz around Dhurandhar: The Revenge, leading to increased scrutiny of his appearances and brand work.