For most Indians, the first car is never just a machine; it’s a milestone, a memory and often the first tangible symbol of “I’ve made it.” For Indian celebrities, that first set of wheels tells a fascinating story about where they started, how their tastes evolved and how closely their journeys mirror the dreams of millions of Indian car buyers. From humble hatchbacks like the Maruti 800 to ultra‑luxury sedans like the Mercedes‑Benz S‑Class, these first cars capture a unique blend of aspiration, practicality and personality.
Below, we look at the first cars of five major Indian celebrities—across cricket and Bollywood and what those choices say about them and the auto market of their time. Prices are indicative and based on typical ex‑showroom figures from the era.
Sachin Tendulkar – Maruti 800: The People’s Champion in the People’s Car
Before Ferraris, BMWs and super‑exclusive exotics, Sachin Tendulkar’s automotive journey began with a car that almost every Indian family dreamed of: the Maruti 800. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Maruti 800 was the default entry point into four‑wheeler ownership, and Sachin’s choice reflected both his middle‑class roots and the reality of the Indian market then.
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Approximate era of purchase: late 1980s
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Ballpark price at the time: around ₹1–1.3 lakh
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Key features:
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796 cc, 3‑cylinder petrol engine
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Light weight and nimble handling, ideal for crowded city streets
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Simple, functional interior with basic instrumentation
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Excellent fuel efficiency, low running costs
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For a young cricketer just breaking into the national team, the Maruti 800 offered freedom of movement without the burden of high costs. Even today, stories often mention that Sachin still holds special affection for that car, symbolising his journey from Dadar’s maidans to global cricketing superstardom.
Shah Rukh Khan – Maruti Omni: From Theatre Runs to Screen Reigns
Long before he became “King Khan,” Shah Rukh Khan’s first car was a Maruti Omni, a humble van better known for practicality than glamour. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Omni served as a multi‑purpose workhorse for families and small businesses, and SRK’s ownership reflects his early hustling days between shoots, rehearsals and performances.
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Approximate era of purchase: early 1990s
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Ballpark price: around ₹1.4–1.6 lakh
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Key features:
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Compact van body with sliding doors
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796 cc petrol engine shared with Maruti 800
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Flexible seating and cargo space
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Very basic interiors, designed for utility rather than comfort
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SRK’s first car underlines how even future megastars start out with cars chosen for function and affordability. The Omni was the kind of vehicle that could carry friends, props and luggage—perfect for an actor building his career one stage and one set at a time.
Rajinikanth – Premier Padmini: The Superstar’s First Icon
Rajinikanth’s first car, the Premier Padmini, is as iconic in Indian automotive history as the star himself is in cinema. At a time when India’s roads were ruled by Ambassadors and Padminis, choosing a Premier Padmini meant stepping into a world of slightly more style and driving enjoyment, compared to the pure utility of many contemporaries.
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Approximate era of purchase: late 1970s–early 1980s
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Ballpark price: around ₹35,000–₹45,000
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Key features:
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1,089 cc petrol engine
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Rear‑wheel drive with manual gearbox
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Distinct European‑inspired styling based on the Fiat 1100
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Simple but more “car‑like” interiors than many rivals of that era
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For someone who went from bus conductor to pan‑Indian superstar, the Premier Padmini represented not just mobility but upward mobility. It was a car that urban India associated with progress and sophistication, and Rajinikanth’s affection for it highlights how first cars often hold emotional value far beyond their spec sheets.
Deepika Padukone – Audi Q7: Entering Stardom in Full‑Size Luxury
Deepika Padukone’s first car in Bollywood wasn’t a modest hatchback or a used sedan—it was an Audi Q7, a full‑size luxury SUV that quickly became a favourite among Indian celebrities in the late 2000s and early 2010s. After the success of “Om Shanti Om,” the Q7 became her statement of arrival in an industry where image and presence matter as much as talent.
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Approximate era of purchase: late 2000s
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Ballpark price back then: around ₹60–80 lakh, depending on variant
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Key features:
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Powerful V6 or V8 diesel/petrol engines
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Quattro all‑wheel drive for stability and occasional off‑road use
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Three‑row seating with a premium, tech‑laden cabin
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High safety standards, including multiple airbags and advanced electronics
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The Audi Q7 as a first car reflects both changing times and changing incomes. By this era, some top‑tier stars were beginning their ownership journey directly in luxury territory, mirroring how the Indian premium SUV market was taking off and how global brands were strengthening their foothold.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas – Mercedes‑Benz S‑Class: Starting at the Very Top
Priyanka Chopra’s first car is often cited as a Mercedes‑Benz S‑Class sedan—a model globally known as the benchmark for luxury, comfort and technology. While many celebrities gradually work their way up to the S‑Class, Priyanka’s choice as a first car signals both her rapid rise and her global ambitions even in the early stages of her career.
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Approximate era of purchase: mid‑2000s
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Ballpark price then: around ₹1.3–1.6 crore, depending on variant
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Key features:
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High‑capacity petrol or diesel engines with smooth, effortless performance
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Air suspension for a “gliding” ride quality
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Opulent interiors with premium leather, wood and advanced infotainment
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Extensive safety tech: multiple airbags, stability systems and driver aids
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Starting off with an S‑Class is less about utility and more about comfort, status and self‑belief. It shows how quickly some Indian celebrities transitioned from emerging talents to global names with the financial and brand leverage to access the very top tier of automotive luxury.
Why These First Cars Matter to Indian Auto Storytelling
From Maruti 800 and Omni to Premier Padmini, Audi Q7 and Mercedes‑Benz S‑Class, these first cars trace the evolution of both celebrity careers and the Indian car market itself. Early choices reflect a landscape dominated by affordable, compact, largely utilitarian vehicles. Later choices capture India’s integration into the global premium and luxury ecosystem, where imported SUVs and sedans became standard fare for star garages.
For content creators and auto enthusiasts, these stories offer rich narrative material: each car is a lens on its owner’s journey, each purchase a timestamp on where Indian mobility—and Indian aspiration stood at that moment.
