Yakult takes in Indian actress Taapsee Pannu as Brand Ambassador
In its bid to power its bold 2030 rebranding vision, the Japanese probiotic brand Yakult commits to an ambitious target of sustaining double-digit annual growth.
New Delhi – Japanese probiotic brand Yakult today announced the appointment of Bollywood star Taapsee Pannu as its new brand ambassador. Strengthening its commitment to promoting good gut health across India, the company also revealed its ambitious goal of achieving double-digit growth every year until 2030.
Taapsee is a critically acclaimed Indian actress who has made a significant impact in Bollywood and South Indian cinema with her versatile performances. Hailing from New Delhi, India, Taapsee earned a degree in Computer Science Engineering from the Guru Tegh Bahadur Institute of Technology. Before entering the film industry, she worked as a software engineer and gained recognition in modelling, winning several beauty titles.
Since it entered India in 2008, Yakult Danone India Pvt. Ltd., a joint venture between Yakult Honsha in Japan and Groupe Danone in France, has expanded to nearly 700 cities across the country, successfully pioneering the probiotic dairy drink category and creating greater awareness around gut health. With India witnessing a paradigm shift toward healthier food and beverage choices, the demand for probiotics and functional foods is on the rise, making the country a crucial market for Yakult’s growth strategy.
Speaking on her association with the brand, Taapsee Pannu, Bollywood Actor & Yakult Brand Ambassador, said, “I’m really happy to be part of Yakult’s journey in promoting good gut health. My family has been enjoying Yakult for years, especially my mom, and I’ve seen firsthand how small, consistent habits can make a big difference. I truly believe that good health starts in the gut, and Yakult is such an easy, tasty way to include that in our daily routine. I’m excited to help spread this message and encourage more people across India to embrace a healthier lifestyle.”
Reiterating Yakult’s business vision, Eiji Amano, Managing Director, Yakult Danone India Pvt. Ltd., stated, “India has shown remarkable growth potential for Yakult over the last 17 years. From a nascent category in 2008 to a rapidly expanding market today, Yakult has continuously won consumer trust, and our next milestone of achieving double-digit growth every year until 2030 reflects the growing demand for probiotics and the confidence we have in the Indian market. Yakult stands committed to reaching more families with our scientifically backed probiotic drink.”
Highlighting the science behind Yakult, Dr. Neerja Hajela, CSO – Science and Regulatory Affairs, Yakult Danone India Pvt. Ltd., said, “Yakult is a daily catalyst that improves the effectiveness of our diet by enhancing the absorption of nutrients in the gut. This is because only Yakult contains the unique Shirota strain, clinically proven to increase the good bacteria in the gut, thereby boosting absorption and digestion. Yakult ensures effective delivery and consistent health benefits.”
Sharing the company’s vision for consumer outreach, Taku Otsuka, Director – Sales, PR & Marketing, Yakult Danone India Pvt. Ltd., said, “Our mission goes beyond just selling products. We want to spark a conversation about gut health and make it part of everyday life for people across the country. Through innovative marketing, on-ground activities, and meaningful engagement with our consumers, Yakult aims to make probiotics a simple, daily habit for every Indian household. After all, good health starts from within, and we want everyone to feel that difference every day.”
India’s probiotics drink market is growing rapidly. Valued at around INR 1,348.8 Million in 2024, it is expected to touch nearly INR 5,778.9 Million by 2033, expanding at a strong CAGR of 16.67% between 2025 and 2033 as per IMARC Group.
A unique strength in Yakult’s India journey has been the “Yakult Ladies” home delivery model. Specially trained women deliver Yakult directly to households, ensuring freshness and credibility, while also educating families about gut health. This initiative has not only enabled last-mile delivery and health awareness. Still, it has also become a symbol of women’s empowerment, providing financial independence and confidence to hundreds of women across Indian cities.
Yakult is a probiotic drink containing over 6.5 billion beneficial bacteria, specifically Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota (Shirota strain), which helps improve digestion and boost immunity. Originating in Japan, it is now sold in 40 countries and regions across the world.
As India continues to witness a surge in health-conscious living, functional foods and probiotics are emerging as a natural choice for preventive wellness, improved immunity, and long-term health. With a 90-year legacy backed by strong scientific research, Yakult is well-positioned to lead this transformation and make probiotics an everyday health ritual for Indian households.
About Yakult Danone India: Yakult Danone India Pvt. Ltd. is a joint venture between Yakult Honsha, Japan, and Groupe Danone, France, established in 2005 to improve the health of people in India through probiotics. Today, the company has expanded to 700 cities nationwide, making Yakult the country’s most recognised probiotic drink with its pioneering formulation containing Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota.
About Taapsee Pannu: Taapsee is a critically acclaimed Indian actress who has made a significant impact in Bollywood and South Indian cinema with her versatile performances. Hailing from New Delhi, India, Taapsee earned a degree in Computer Science Engineering from the Guru Tegh Bahadur Institute of Technology. Before entering the film industry, she worked as a software engineer and gained recognition in modeling, winning several beauty titles.
Taapsee made her acting debut in Telugu cinema and quickly established herself in the South Indian film industry with successful roles in both Tamil and Telugu films. Her Bollywood debut brought her widespread recognition, particularly for her powerful performances that resonate with audiences and critics alike.
Known for portraying strong, independent women, Taapsee has taken on roles that challenge societal norms and advocate for social change. Her dedication to her craft earned her a National Film Award for Best Actress, among other accolades throughout her career.
Taapsee continues to push boundaries with her choice of roles, making her a significant figure in contemporary Indian cinema
