Happy Birthday, Jim Sarbh: Journey of an actor to a brand asset

Jim Sarbh, who turns 39 today, has built a career that sits comfortably between theatre, cinema and advertising. Long before Neerja made him a nationally recognised actor, Sarbh was already appearing in advertisements, taking up ad work between theatre projects.

One of his early appearances was in a Rajasthan Tourism “Bike” commercial, which audiences rediscovered after his breakout as the antagonist Khalil in Neerja (2016). At the time, Sarbh was primarily known for his theatre work, having acted in and directed several productions in Mumbai. In 2015, he was featured in Forbes India’s 30 Under 30 list for theatre.

His film career took off with Neerja, followed by roles in A Death in the Gunj, Raabta, Padmaavat, Sanju, Made in Heaven, Taish, Rocket Boys, Gangubai Kathiawadi, Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway and Kuberaa. His ability to move between intense, unconventional and sophisticated characters soon became part of his appeal to brands.

Sarbh's advertising identity began becoming more distinctive with campaigns such as Dineout’s #FearNoBill, where he literally played the character “Bill”. But it was CRED that turned his personality into a recurring advertising asset.

In CRED’s 2021 campaign featuring Rahul Dravid, Sarbh played the straight-faced narrator opposite Dravid’s famously explosive “Indiranagar ka Gunda” persona. He subsequently appeared in CRED campaigns alongside personalities including Jackie Shroff and Neeraj Chopra.

The appeal was less about conventional celebrity endorsement and more about Sarbh’s ability to deliver absurd situations with a deadpan seriousness.

His brand portfolio has since expanded into fashion and premium categories. He featured in Mango Man’s campaign and, in 2025, became the face of Tyaani Jewellery’s “Forces of Tyaani”, as the brand pushed men's fine jewellery as an expression of individuality.

In 2026, Edge by Titan brought him into its “Engineered with HeART” campaign, an especially interesting association because Sarbh also portrays Titan founder Xerxes Desai in Made in India: A Titan Story.

He has also fronted Campus Activewear’s Élan, with the “Most Elegant Man in Town” campaign.

What makes Sarbh interesting for advertisers is that he is not a conventional Bollywood endorsement face. His theatre roots, distinctive screen presence and ability to play unconventional characters give brands a recognisable personality to build creative around.

From a young theatre actor doing ads between rehearsals to becoming a recurring face across fintech, fashion, jewellery, footwear and watches, Sarbh’s journey reflects a broader shift in celebrity advertising.

Brands are no longer simply borrowing his fame. They are increasingly borrowing the “Jim Sarbh” persona itself.