'Firangi' Aamir Khan wanders onto Google Maps as Thugs of Hindostan release draws near

In the coming few days, users of Google Maps will find actor Aamir Khan's avatar as Firangi Malla guiding them on their way home. The actor's character from Vijay Krishna Acharya's film will be used as a navigational icon on the application as part of the promotional strategy for Thugs Of Hindostan.

Google has tied up with the producers, Yash Raj Films, to help create the icon and has also incorporated some of the lines from the trailer, like '1,2,3...quick march' into the avatar.

Starting Thursday, 1 November, users will be able to choose the avatar as their guiding icon on the map applications.

Speaking about the venture, Neha Walkar, product manager, Google Maps, said, "We are truly excited to bring a first-time India-specific entertainment experience to Google Maps in India. As people gear up for Diwali and to watch Thugs Of Hindostan, we wanted to do our bit by making their driving journeys more fun and playful. Huge thanks to Tanuja Khetwal, Manan Mehta and the entire YRF team for helping make this possible, and we wish the movie every success."

Manan Mehta, vice-president, marketing and merchandising, Yash Raj Films, added, "It’s not only the biggest Bollywood movie produced till date but also for the first time ever [it] brings together two legends of Indian cinema, Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan. We were aware that no marketing idea that we implement can eclipse this. So we had to think of creating a first time, unparalleled and unrepeatable marketing idea to promote this film. And in Google Maps we found a perfect partner to do so. Google Maps is now a household name in India and is extensively used to travel around in our daily lives. We had a great time working with the team at Google to make ‘Firangi’ a part of these journeys. We are confident that people will love the experience and of course the movie.”