The News Minute | January 18, 2015 | 03.20 pm IST
Created over fifty years ago, symbolising one of India’s aviation brands for many years to come, Air India’s Maharajah with his long moustache and royal look, welcomed passengers for many years.
According to a Times of India report, this iconic symbol is going to be replaced by a more suave, younger looking mascot wearing a jeans and tshirt unlike its older counterpart.
Many on social media expressed their discontent over the Maharaja’s new makeover.
They have upgraded the Air India Maharaja. The new one looks like a loan collection agent. pic.twitter.com/p8XUE4JB2B
— Varun (@varungrover) January 18, 2015
The new Air India mascot looks like a press photographer in a Madhur Bhandarkar movie
— Rohan (@mojorojo) January 18, 2015
"Great! even the new Air India mascot is fulltime on the stupid smartphone" - My father
— Varun Nair (@daEGOmilito) January 18, 2015
The new Maharaja mascot of Air India looks like grandpa trying to be 16 again.
— Pallav Patodia (@pallavpatodia) January 18, 2015
This new Air India maharaja looks like the guy who'll wreck his BMW and fight with a bouncer for not being allowed stag entry
— Khamba (@gkhamba) January 18, 2015
The 'Maharaja' mascot of Air India is a powerful character. I think it is high time he deserves a makeover and worthy campaign!
— THE Habibee (@THEHabibee) January 18, 2015
The new air India mascot. All set to charge the foreigners taxi fare in USD pic.twitter.com/a3auflbSaZ
— Tierra travels (@RupalTierra) January 18, 2015
Air India finally brought all the questions to a rest when it said that it had no plans to replace the original Maharaja and that the original Maharaja would remain Air India's mascot.
#MaharajahSpeaks: I am overwhelmed by the support I have got for my original traditional attire and style. Just to clear the air,... 1/3
— Air India (@airindiain) January 18, 2015
the young image is one of my many avtaars to suit the occasion and activity. Check out more at this link http://t.co/mvB63J5lyM. 2/3
— Air India (@airindiain) January 18, 2015
Yours truly...I remain the mascot of Air India, the way Bobby Kooka created me. 3/3
— Air India (@airindiain) January 18, 2015
To tweak his image with changing times, 27 different pictures are to be used of the new Maharaj among which will feature him playing as one of the members of the Indian cricket team.
Air India’s original Maharaja made his first appearance in 1946 , created by Bobby Kooka, Air India’s Commercial Director and Umesh Rao, an artist belonging to J Walter Thompson Ltd.
'We call him a Maharajah for want of a better description. But his blood isn't blue. He may look like royalty, but he isn't royal.' These are the words of Bobby Kooka, the man who conceived the Maharajah, says the company’s official website.
" Today, this naughty diminutive Maharajah of Air India has become a world figure. He can be a lover boy in Paris, a sumo wrestler in Tokyo, a pavement artist, a Red Indian, a monk... he can effortlessly flirt with the beauties of the world. And most importantly, he can get away with it all. Simply because he is the Maharajah!," it said.