What happened to Ketut? Actor who played Rhonda’s Balinese lover in famous AAMI adverts reveals he’s ready to reprise the iconic role
It’s been nearly ten years since he captured Rhonda’s – and Australia’s – heart as ‘Ketut’ in AAMI’s iconic insurance ads.
And Kadek Mahardika has revealed to this week’s New Idea magazine he’s ready to reprise the role that made him famous.
‘Whatever Australians ask, I’ll do,’ he said of returning to the popular series of commercials.
Comeback: Actor Kadek Mahardika (right, with wife Laura) has revealed to this week’s New Idea magazine he’s ready to reprise his role as ‘Ketut’ in AAMI’s iconic insurance ads
The Rhonda and Ketut adverts first appeared in 2012 to promote AAMI’s safe driver insurance.
In the series of ads, Rhonda, played by Mandy McElhinney, meets her younger lover while on holiday in Bali, before their summer fling becomes a long-term relationship.
And the former actor’s real-life wife, Laura, said the 37-year-old made the character his own with ‘ad-libbed lines’.
‘It was all purely Kadek,’ said the mother of two, referring to Ketut’s memorable quotes like ‘You look hot today Rhonda… like a sunrise.’
Moving on: Kadek is a family man these days. He and Laura share two young children, Mila, eight, and Lenny, five
Still on! Rhonda and Ketut from the iconic AAMI adverts are ‘still together’ eight years later, the insurance company confirmed last year. The star-crossed lovers were portrayed in the ads by actors Mandy McElhinney and Kadek Mahardika
Mandy, 50, is also known for her roles in television shows including Wakefield and Bad Mothers.
Kadek is a family man these days. He and Laura share two young children, Mila, eight, and Lenny, five.
He also has an older son, RJ, from a previous relationship and earns a living driving heavy machinery in a quarry in Melbourne.
Just last year, AAMI confirmed that Rhonda and Ketut ‘are still together and doing well’ despite the coronavirus pandemic.
‘Still together and doing well’: In a Facebook exchange, which has since gone viral, an AAMI spokesperson offered a cheeky response when asked by a fan how the pair were doing
Remember this? The Rhonda and Ketut adverts first appeared in 2012 to promote AAMI’s safe driver insurance. In the series of ads, Rhonda meets her younger lover while on holiday in Bali, before their summer fling becomes a long-term relationship
In a Facebook exchange, which has since gone viral, an AAMI spokesperson offered a cheeky response when asked by a fan how the fictional couple were doing.
‘Hi there so it’s 2020 and I just wanna know if Rhonda and Ketut are still together during COVID,’ the fan asked.
AAMI replied: ‘Hey there Matt, thanks for checking in on them! Rhonda and Ketut are still together and doing well.
‘Naturally, they’ve had to cancel some holiday plans but are using the time to relax at home. Stay safe!’
Working actress: Mandy, 50, is also known for her roles in television shows including Love Child and Bad Mothers. Pictured at the Logie Awards in Melbourne on May 8, 2016