A viral video shows a mechanic revealing that many customers refuse to use a well-known engine oil brand simply because it features Shah Rukh Khan on the label.
The mechanic disclosed that many of his customers refused to use the specific brand and demanded that he use any alternative, even if it meant compromising on the quality.
Many such incidents were recorded from other parts of India as well, where the public is actively refusing to use brands promoted by Muslim actors or personalities.
Social media users reflected on how the hatred against particular people and religions has penetrated the Indian psyche so much that it is damaging small-scale businesses across the country.
The communal biases and social media-driven polarization might seem harmless on the internet, but in reality, they are increasingly disrupting everyday commerce for local vendors, reflecting that prejudice and identity politics are dictating consumer behavior on a grassroots level.
For small business owners, this change means lost sales, increased customer confrontations, and a climate of fear where stocking or recommending certain brands can result in unprecedented backlash.
On the other hand, as per a recent report, the same corporation recorded a 7% revenue growth and robust profits due to their scale and diversified distribution.
The critical question is why small retailers and service providers bear the brunt of the consequences stemming from decisions made by large corporations. The livelihoods of these small business owners are directly at risk, yet the manufacturers face little to no accountability.
At the end of the video, the mechanic pleaded with the company to remove or, more likely, refrain from putting any celebrity picture on their product, as you never know what can cause a backlash.
A mechanic says people are not willing to use castrol engine oil because it has SRK photo on it
Yeh kaisa masterstroke hai public ka?@GemsOfBollywood pic.twitter.com/D2mseb5QrG
— Woke Eminent (@WokePandemic) July 2, 2025
