McDonald's bets on boba, Bollywood and bold branding

McDonald’s India (North and East) has teamed up with the Bollywood superstar Ranveer Singh to launch its latest campaign featuring the launched ‘The Ranveer Singh Meal’. The quirky, heartwarming, and high-energy TVC celebrates the spirit of fun, energy, and flavour, all in Ranveer style.

Inspired by McDonald’s global Famous Orders, this limited-time offering is anchored in fan truth and the deep emotional bond people share with McDonald’s, reflecting real moments of joy and nostalgia, seen through the lens of a genuine McDonald’s fan.

The Ranveer Singh Meal includes McDonald’s classic McVeggie and McChicken, elevated with chilli and Xplode sauce, topped with crispy onions. It also features bite-sized Golden Pop Fries and a limited-edition Bobaaa Blast drink, matched with pear syrup and paired with boba pearls.

Commenting on the launch of TVC, Rajeev Ranjan, managing director, McDonald’s India (North & East), said, “At McDonald’s, we’ve always believed in creating feel-good moments that stay with our customers, whether it’s the joy of sharing a meal, or the excitement of trying something new. This campaign is rooted in a powerful fan truth - our customers love customising their McDonald’s favourites. Blending this insight with Ranveer’s personal picks gave us the perfect canvas to celebrate The Ranveer Singh meal.”

The Ranveer Singh Meal will be available across McDonald’s restaurants in North and East India, with a starting price of INR 249 for the vegetarian option and INR 269 for the non-vegetarian option. Customers can enjoy the meal via dine-in, takeaway, drive-thru, or order through the McDonald’s app, Swiggy, and Zomato.

Campaign’s take: McDonald’s India is turning up the heat—and the sauces—with the launch of the ‘Ranveer Singh Meal’, a homegrown take on its global ‘Famous Orders’ franchise. After roping in names like Travis Scott, BTS and J Balvin abroad, it’s now Bollywood’s turn to step up to the counter.

Inspired by Singh’s high-voltage persona, the limited-edition meal is equal parts flamboyance and fast food, with revamped versions of McVeggie and McChicken featuring a creamy-chilli Xplode sauce, Golden Pop Fries, and a ‘Bobaaa Blast’—a boba drink making its debut at the chain. It’s loud, theatrical and designed to deliver an edible version of the actor’s signature swagger.

From a marketing lens, this isn’t just about meals—it’s about cultural localisation. McDonald’s is cleverly adapting a global format for Indian palates and pop culture sensibilities. The real goal? Emotional connection wrapped in sauce and nostalgia, with a side of selfie-friendly merch and snackable content.

However, while Singh’s star power grabs attention, the campaign’s long-term value will depend on whether the food format has legs beyond fandom. Because once the hype cools, what’s left on the tray has to matter more than who endorsed it. Now, the only question left: will the boba outshine the burger?