Ishita Dutta gifts Vatsal Sheth a 'Tarzaan: The Wonder Car' toy replica
Synopsis
A toy car bought on a whim at a store became a trip down Bollywood memory lane — Ishita Dutta's gift of a 'Tarzaan: The Wonder Car' replica to husband Vatsal Sheth has reignited fan love for the 2004 Abbas-Mustan cult classic, proving the iconic purple car still drives nostalgia two decades on.
Key Takeaways
Ishita Dutta gifted husband Vatsal Sheth a die-cast toy replica of the car from 'Tarzaan: The Wonder Car' on 17 July .
The moment was captured in a video shared on Instagram , which quickly resonated with fans of the 2004 film. 'Tarzaan: The Wonder Car' was directed by Abbas-Mustan and starred Vatsal Sheth , Ayesha Takia , and Ajay Devgn .
The film received mixed reviews on release but has since attained cult status among millennials.
Vatsal responded to the gift saying, 'I love this gift.
Anything related to cars and I love it.'
Actress Ishita Dutta delighted her husband, actor Vatsal Sheth, with a miniature die-cast replica of the iconic car from the 2004 Bollywood fantasy thriller 'Tarzaan: The Wonder Car', in a heartwarming moment she shared on Instagram on 17 July. The gesture sparked a wave of nostalgia among fans of the cult film, which starred Vatsal in the lead role over two decades ago.
How the Surprise Unfolded
In the video, Ishita is seen browsing a toy store, initially picking up a car for her son. 'He was obsessed with cars and I got a very cool car for him. Look at this, the doors open. And I am buying something for Vatsal too,' she said on camera. She then called Vatsal over and presented him with the red die-cast model — a near-replica of the film's iconic vehicle.
A visibly thrilled Vatsal responded, 'I love this gift. Anything related to cars and I love it.' The couple then broke into fond recollections of the film's signature song, with Ishita teasing him: 'Can you sing that song? But you are not wearing yellow. You can't sing that song and not wear yellow.' Vatsal quipped back, 'We will change it in AI.' As the video wrapped up, Ishita joked, 'This is actually like cars. Exactly like that. You pay for it now..'
Ishita captioned the post: 'Who else loves this film??? Say Tarzzzaaannnn.'
About 'Tarzaan: The Wonder Car'
Directed by the filmmaker duo Abbas-Mustan, 'Tarzaan: The Wonder Car' released in 2004 and blended action, fantasy, romance, and supernatural elements. Vatsal Sheth played the lead alongside Ayesha Takia, while Ajay Devgn portrayed Deven Chaudhary — a man whose spirit returns through a futuristic sports car to avenge his own murder.
The film's ensemble cast also included Farida Jalal, Gulshan Grover, Shakti Kapoor, Mukesh Tiwari, Sadashiv Amrapurkar, Deepak Shirke, and Amrish Puri in key roles.
From Mixed Reviews to Cult Classic
While the film received mixed critical reception at the time of its release, it has since earned cult status among millennials, celebrated for its distinctive concept, peppy soundtrack, and the memorable purple car. The toy replica moment has reignited affection for the film on social media, with fans responding enthusiastically to Ishita's post.
The couple's playful exchange is a reminder of how deeply the film has embedded itself in popular memory — and how a simple toy can carry two decades of nostalgia.
Point of View
But what it quietly underscores is the staying power of a mid-budget, high-concept Bollywood film that the critics largely dismissed in 2004. 'Tarzaan: The Wonder Car' has outlasted dozens of bigger-budget contemporaries in cultural memory, sustained entirely by millennial nostalgia and social media recall. For Vatsal Sheth — whose career has evolved considerably since — the film remains his most recognisable calling card, which is both a testament to the role and a commentary on how cult status shapes an actor's public identity long after the box office has closed.
NationPress
17 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Ishita Dutta gift Vatsal Sheth?
Ishita Dutta gifted Vatsal Sheth a miniature die-cast replica of the iconic car from the 2004 Bollywood film 'Tarzaan: The Wonder Car'. She shared the surprise moment in a video on Instagram on 17 July.
What is 'Tarzaan: The Wonder Car' about?
'Tarzaan: The Wonder Car' is a 2004 Bollywood fantasy thriller directed by Abbas-Mustan. It follows a man named Deven Chaudhary, played by Ajay Devgn, whose spirit returns through a futuristic sports car to seek justice after his murder, with Vatsal Sheth and Ayesha Takia in the lead roles.
Why is 'Tarzaan: The Wonder Car' considered a cult classic?
Though the film received mixed reviews on release, it has since earned cult status among millennials for its unique concept, peppy soundtrack, and the memorable purple car. It remains one of Bollywood's most nostalgic fantasy films from the 2000s.
Who directed 'Tarzaan: The Wonder Car'?
'Tarzaan: The Wonder Car' was directed by the filmmaker duo Abbas-Mustan and released in 2004. The film featured an ensemble cast including Vatsal Sheth, Ayesha Takia, Ajay Devgn, Amrish Puri, and Gulshan Grover, among others.
How did Vatsal Sheth react to the gift?
Vatsal Sheth was visibly delighted, saying 'I love this gift. Anything related to cars and I love it.' The couple also playfully recalled the film's iconic song during the video shared by Ishita on Instagram.
