Mumbai, India – From Shah Rukh Khan and Yash to Ananya Panday and Janhvi Kapoor, India’s biggest stars across generations share a common automotive obsession: the Range Rover. While they may collect vintage cars or admire muscular classics, the commanding British SUV inevitably finds its way into their garages. But this prestige isn’t a recent development. The Range Rover’s journey from off-road champion to red carpet essential is a story of capability, status, and savvy brand positioning.
Vintage car collector Rishad Kundanmal traces the vehicle’s cult status back to the late 1970s and 80s, when it proved itself as both capable and coveted. The turning point was the legendary Camel Trophy, an annual off-roading adventure competition held from 1980 to 2000 in countries like Brazil, Australia, and Madagascar. “The following year, Land Rovers entered and ever since then, it became a cult phenomenon,” Kundanmal recalls. Tata Motors’ acquisition of Jaguar Land Rover in 2008 made this British luxury more accessible to Indian celebrities. Today, the Range Rover Vogue and Autobiography remain the most coveted variants, with owners including Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar, and Katrina Kaif.
What sets the Range Rover apart is its unique position in automotive history. It redefined what an SUV could be, offering luxury capabilities that competitors like Mercedes GLS and Toyota Land Cruisers have since tried to match. The appeal is both practical and symbolic. India’s challenging road conditions and the tendency for families to travel with significant luggage make the robust, spacious SUV a logical choice. As Christopher Rodricks of Rodricks Restorations notes, “The suspension and steering components take a beating in India compared to other countries, so people prefer more rugged cars.” The Range Rover also benefits from being more accessible in India than American SUVs like Cadillac Escalades or Ford trucks, which are rarely available.
The Range Rover’s status is further cemented by its association with the Prime Minister, who uses a heavily armoured Range Rover Sentinel. This percolates down to public perception, making the vehicle a symbol of having “arrived.” While Toyota’s Vellfire has been gaining popularity among celebrities, it is seen as a different class—a luxury minivan, not a true SUV. The Range Rover’s throne remains secure as a symbol that when India’s stars want to make an entrance, they do so from behind the wheel of this iconic car.
