McDonald’s India - North and East Appoints Sara Arjun as Brand Ambassador

The announcement highlights the company’s focus on leveraging nostalgia while engaging younger consumers.

The collaboration coincides with the launch of a new television campaign introducing the Buddy Meal, a value offering aimed at consumers who prefer sharing meals with friends. The offering is priced at Rs 119 and includes two burgers with customers able to choose between McAloo Tikki or Veg Surprise, along with two Coke beverages and one medium fries.

The advertising film revisits the “girlfriend -boyfriend” exchange from the brand’s earlier campaign, blending humour with a familiar narrative format. In the storyline, Sara jokes about modern relationships being “too demanding,” referencing expectations such as grand gestures and “princess treatment.” The conversation shifts when her friend reveals he only wants a McAloo Tikki, highlighting a simple and relatable moment.

The commercial concludes with the voiceover message, “Shukar hai McDonald’s Buddy Meal for 2 hai… starts at just Rs 119.” The campaign closes with the pair sharing the Buddy Meal, reinforcing the brand message “Khao Meal, Baat Ke,” which focuses on sharing and value.

Anant Agarwal, Vice Chairman of MMG Group and Connaught Plaza Restaurants Limited (CPRL), said, “At McDonald’s India - North and East, we have always believed in creating moments that bring people together. Sara’s return to McDonald’s is a wonderful reminder of the deep emotional connections many customers have grown up with. With the Buddy Meal, we are celebrating friendship, nostalgia and the simple joy of sharing a McDonald’s meal together at great value.”

Sara Arjun said, “McDonald’s has been a special part of my journey since childhood. Returning to the brand for this campaign feels incredibly nostalgic. The Buddy Meal captures the simple joy of sharing food and laughter with friends and it’s wonderful to be part of a story that brings back such fond memories while creating new ones.”

Through the campaign, McDonald’s India -North and East aims to reconnect with long-time consumers while introducing the brand to a younger audience. The Buddy Meal will be available for a limited period across McDonald’s outlets in North and East India through dine-in, takeaway, drive-thru, the McDonald’s App and major food delivery platforms.