New Delhi: Actor Dayanand Chandrashekhar Shetty, better known as Daya from the television series C.I.D., can’t bring himself to sell his Toyota Fortuner even after 17 years with the car.
In a recent video posted on the actor’s Instagram account, Shetty said that he has a lot of love for the Fortuner.
“I bought this car in 2010. Before that, I had a Toyota Innova, a wonderful car. But I wanted to upgrade, and the Fortuner was newly launched in the market at the time,” Shetty said in Hindi as he drove the car.
The Toyota Fortuner was launched in India on 24 August 2009. The SUV became so popular that Toyota launched a limited Anniversary Edition in August 2010. At the time, it was priced at around Rs 21 lakh.
“Now, this car is in its 17th year. I’ve bought three other cars after the Fortuner, driven them for five to six years, and sold them. But this car, there was a voice inside that said, ‘No, let’s not sell this one’,” Shetty added. “I have a weird bonding with this car. So when it comes to selling it, my heart starts to sink.”
The commenters were mostly thrilled to get a social media update from their star. One found a cameo appearance of Shetty’s Fortuner in a C.I.D. episode, while another talked about the importance of maintaining a car.
“I think this is the only car whose door Daya sir would never want to break,” wrote yet another fan.
‘Never faced a problem on long drives’
Toyota Fortuner is a favourite among bahubalis and politicians alike, thanks to an imposing road presence and reliability.
“This car is so beautiful—the way it looks, and when you drive it… I’ve travelled from here (Mumbai) to Mangalore, Goa, Kerala, Gujarat, Delhi, and I’ve never faced a problem of any kind,” Shetty said.
The video, which was posted in collaboration with Lakozy Toyota Mumbai, is simple and conversational. The actor chats about his beloved vehicle as he drives, and it’s clear that his words come from the heart. There is no fancy caption, only “#toyotaindia”.
The actor is known for his love of cars and bikes. Last year, he bought a Land Rover Defender SUV. He also owns a Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650, which he purchased in 2023.
“Whatever happens, even if I have to put this (car) in a museum, I’m ready to do that, but I won’t sell this car,” Shetty joked in the video.
The brand is set to launch a new Fortuner Facelift in India in October 2026. The price range is expected to be between Rs 35 lakh and Rs 50 lakh.
Shetty ended his video by standing in front of his shiny black car, with no visible hint of wear and tear.
“Look at the exterior of this car. After 17 years, it has maintained its body so well. It looks like a brand new car… that’s Toyota.”
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