A Viral Claim About the Amul Girl’s Real-Life Inspiration Is Debunked by the Dairy Brand, While Revealing the Untold Story of the Mascot’s Origins.
A viral video has sparked a debate within the advertising and agribusiness world, claiming that the beloved Amul Girl mascot was inspired by a childhood photograph of Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan, the sister of prominent Indian politician Shashi Tharoor. The video, shared by a marketing consultant, garnered over 1.8 million views and captured the attention of both the public and Shobha Tharoor herself, leading to a direct response from the dairy brand.
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In an official clarification, Amul confirmed that the viral claim is not true. The brand stated that the Amul Girl was created by advertising head Sylvester daCunha and illustrator Eustace Fernandes in 1966. This clarification was necessary to set the record straight and provide the factual history of one of India’s most iconic and longest-running advertising campaigns.
Despite the brand’s denial, the viral video presented a detailed, albeit unsubstantiated, account of the mascot’s creation. It claimed that to compete with rival brand Polson, Sylvester daCunha sought a unique child model. After reviewing over 700 photos, he was reportedly captivated by a photo of a 10-month-old Shobha Tharoor, a photo taken by celebrated filmmaker Shyam Benegal, which became the initial inspiration. The video also claimed that her sister, Smita Tharoor, was the second Amul Girl in the company’s first color advertisements.
Shobha Tharoor herself responded to the viral video, acknowledging that she was, in fact, the “first Amul baby” and that her sister Smita was featured in a later campaign. Her response did not directly confirm or deny that she was the inspiration for the cartoon mascot but rather acknowledged her role as a real-life model in the early stages of the brand’s marketing.
This fascinating bit of data journalism provides a deeper look into the creation of a dairy brand’s public image. While the direct inspiration for the mascot may remain the creative genius of its creators, the story highlights the importance of the Amul Girl as a cultural icon in India. It serves as a great case study for the international dairy community on the power of a long-running, memorable mascot in a fiercely competitive market.
Source: News18, “Is Amul Girl Inspired By Shashi Tharoor’s Sister Shobha Tharoor? Dairy Brand Reveals”
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