Really, American ads suuuuuuuuuck in comparison! Not only do we not get the big name stars, we don’t get the fun gimmicks and interesting stories either.
Check out my first post for a discussion of the history of advertising and film in India. To put up where that left off, Cadbury!!! Cadbury chocolates was going through a hard time in the 90s, there were rumors that they were adulterated and unhealthy. So, how do you convince the Indian public as a whole that your product is fine? What is the one voice everyone will believe?
Amitabh saved Cadbury, but he used that same voice of wisdom and reassurance to save the lives of millions of children as well. Rotary International (headquarters two blocks from the office where I am typing this!) and the World Health Organization worked with him as the face of their polio vaccination campaign in India, and within a dozen years, it had been eradicated in India. Thanks to ads like this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDrxJAS8ivs
Okay, that’s two ads where an actors very very serious and respected persona helped convince people. Now, for a campaign where an actor decided to just really really act and disappear into character. Yes, it is time for the Aamir coke ads!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBFyMnfAVug
Speaking of Aamir and cross-dressing, Tata Sky!
And here’s Shahrukh as a protective older brother and science nerd. Although, I don’t know how inaccurate that is? Turns out, the much more inaccurate part of this ad was Ranbir and Deepika as young lovers. Oh well, she at least has moved on to someone better.
Yeah, definitely better! Look how much Ranveer enjoys promoting safe sex!
Okay, speaking of commitment to a concept, these ads were mentioned in the comments and I cannot believe how strange they are! Especially as a series!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAN8GNLZEsU
And finally, my favorite ads! I know promoting fairness creams is morally complex, but I just love the idea that Shahrukh tosses fair and handsome bottles into the crowd to bring happiness to young awkward boys!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGr2QwDv_P8
dontcallitbollywood 
I get completely distracted by hat Amitabh wears in the Cadbury ad.
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It’s part of their quality controls!!!
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Chocolate and crocodiles – of course!! lol
The Amir ones are a scream.
Do the Rex – a bit racy, lol.
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I love Aamir for committing so whole-heartedly to his ads. And I really love Ranveer for being so blatant about his ad!
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The Aamir ads broke my brain. Is he contractually required to cross-dress if he’s promoting a product? He’s such a little weirdo I swear.
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He is so weird!!!
And yes, his thing with ads seems to be extreme make-up, whether it is cross dressing or dressing up like an old man or whatever. It works I guess, everyone says “Have you seen the new Aamir Pepsi ad?” and then people hear the word “Pepsi” over and over again.
On Tue, Nov 13, 2018 at 4:15 PM dontcallitbollywood wrote:
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