Riteish and Genelia Deshmukh Named Brand Ambassadors for MSRTC
In a major move to boost its public outreach, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has appointed the popular actor couple Riteish and Genelia Deshmukh as its brand ambassadors for the next five years. The official announcement was made on Wednesday, marking a new chapter for the country’s largest state-run transport body. The agreement was formalized at Mantralaya in the presence of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik.
A Personal Connection
For Riteish Deshmukh, the appointment is deeply sentimental. He shared that the association is a tribute to his family’s roots. Riteish recalled that his father, the late former Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, frequently traveled in “ST” buses during his youth. The actor mentioned his own experiences traveling in state buses as a child, making the role personally meaningful. “I am committed to the progress of state transport. My priority will be to send a clear message to the people, making them aware of the importance of avoiding drink and drive for their safety.” — Riteish Deshmukh
Campaign Focus and Outreach
Over their five-year tenure, the duo will be the faces of several key MSRTC initiatives, including. It will promote Road Safety responsible driving and passenger security. Raising awareness about the benefits and facilities of public transport. Encouraging the use of the vast network that serves over 55 lakh passengers daily.
🗓️ २२ एप्रिल २०२६ 📍 मंत्रालय
एसटी महामंडळाच्या जनजागृती उपक्रमासाठी रितेश-जेनेलिया देशमुख ब्रँड ॲम्बेसेडर
महाराष्ट्र राज्य मार्ग परिवहन महामंडळ (एसटी) आणि परिवहन खात्यामार्फत राबविण्यात येणाऱ्या ‘रस्ता सुरक्षा अभियाना’च्या जनजागृती उपक्रमाला बळकटी देण्यासाठी प्रसिद्ध अभिनेते… pic.twitter.com/l6Y5CdKvRA
— Pratap Baburao Sarnaik (@PratapSarnaik) April 22, 2026
MSRTC by the Numbers
The MSRTC remains a backbone of Maharashtra’s infrastructure, boasting impressive scale:
- Fleet Size: Over 16,000 buses.
- Workforce: Approximately 86,000 employees.
- Historical Precedent: The couple follows in the footsteps of previous ambassadors, including actor Makarand Anaspure (appointed in 2023) and the late veteran actor Vikram Gokhale.
With this high-profile partnership, the corporation aims to modernize its image and strengthen its connection with the millions of citizens who rely on the state transport system every day.
