r Kapoor in Bachna Ae Haseeno, as was Akshay Kumar in Action Replayy. Imran Khan rides one in Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, and more recently, Sharman owns one in Ferrari Ki Sawaari while Shahid Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra's film Teri Meri Kahaani had the humble vehicle make a cameo. Bittoo Boss is another film that had Pulkit Samrat ride one alongside his onscreen girlfriend who also rides a scooty.
Offering an explanation for Bollywood's obsession with the bike's poorer cousin, filmmakers say that much has to do with the films being based in the North where scooters are still popular. "They lend a natural flavour to the depiction of the smaller towns and are a great prop as they offer a novelty factor as well," says one such filmmaker, while another one adds that they stand out from the rest, and also speaks volumes of the character riding it.
"It's no more considered feminine or the hero considered any less heroish if he's seen riding one. On the contrary, the hero riding a scooter shows how comfortable he is in his skin," says trade analyst Komal Nahta, adding that in some cases, the scooters have also been used to depict a certain era like in Action Replayy or a certain culture like in Bittoo Boss.
Even when it's not exactly a requirement, the scooter's increasingly making a cameo. "Yes, because they are not as common on our roads, so they lend a fresh and new look to the film, enhancing the visuals. And each time it gets noticed, which is what works in the favour of the film," adds filmmaker Supavitra Babul.