Škoda Auto India has partnered with sitar player Rishab Rikhiram Sharma for the launch of the new Kodiaq RS. The collaboration coincides with the brand’s 125 years in motorsport and more than 50 years of its RS performance lineup.
The campaign film, ‘Surrender’, features the Kodiaq RS alongside Sharma’s composition Burning Ghat, performed using his electric sitar, Sitara. The film combines the SUV’s performance with music to present the vehicle through a cinematic narrative.
The collaboration follows Škoda Auto India’s earlier campaign for the Octavia RS and continues the brand’s use of music-led storytelling for its performance vehicles. Through the film, the company highlights the Kodiaq RS while bringing together automotive engineering and contemporary Indian neo-classical music.
Watch the campaign
Ashish Gupta, Brand Director, Škoda Auto India, said, “At Škoda Auto, legacy is defined by endurance and evolution. From 130 years globally, to 125 years in motorsport, and over 50 years of the RS badge, our story is built on performance, passion, precision, and persistence. After our collaboration with Rishab Rikhiram Sharma for the Octavia RS, it was only natural to continue this journey with the Kodiaq RS—a car that embodies all-terrain capability while harmonising beautifully with Rishab’s contemporary interpretation of the sitar.”
He further added, “This emotion lies at the heart of our ‘Surrender’ campaign. Because the Kodiaq RS is not just about performance, it’s about what you feel. And these are emotions you don’t own but surrender to.”
Commenting on the association, Rishab Rikhiram Sharma states, “Music and rhythm are intrinsic to motion and the natural world. This film brings that philosophy to life, pairing the resonance of the Kodiaq RS with the emotional depth of Burning Ghat, expressed through the distinctive voice of my electric sitar, Sitara. Together, they explore the connection between movement, emotion and performance, creating a dialogue between artistry and engineering that feels both immersive and meaningful.“
