Controversial Ads: Netizens Fumed over Aamir-Kiara’s New ‘Ghar Jamai’ Ad
Let us take a look at some of the bands that were mercilessly trolled for their ad commercials and earned a hashtag boycott.
Tanishq for Ekatvam
On 9 October 2020, the Famous Jewellery brand Tanishq released an advertisement displaying communal harmony. It showcases a Muslim family organizing a traditional South-Indian baby shower for their Hindu daughter-in-law under the banner Ekatvam.
However, some fear-mongers associated the idea of the ad with Love Jihad. There were massive outbursts on social media with the hashtag #BoycottTanishq. People accused the jewellery brand of promoting fake secularism and Love of Jihad.
Later, Tanishq issued an official statement apologizing for hurting religious sentiments, and Tanishq was forced to withdraw the ad after facing severe backlash from the masses.
Surf Excel for Love Jihad
In early 2019, detergent brand Surf Excel also faced similar trolls on social media. An advertisement depicting Hindu- Muslim harmony irks the sentiments of many. Some considered the Surf Excel ad based on the Hindu festival anti-faith. The unexpected backlash saw #BoycottSurfExcel on Twitter. However, many people pointed out flaws in backlash, with some resorting to humour.
There was also an unexpected victim in all the outrage that is Microsoft Excel. People dropped one-star reviews for Microsoft Excel and called it anti-national for sharing similar names.
Manyavar Mohey on Kanyamann
An ad commercial for clothing brand Manyavar Mohey was mercilessly trolled on social media. As per trollers, the brand targeted Hindu tradition and custom. The ad brought the idea of replacing a Hindu wedding custom of Kanyadaan with Kanyamaan.
Netizens said the ad makers had deliberately targeted one religion to defame it. In the advertisement, Alia Bhatt is dressed as Dulhan. After the backlash against the Manyavar Mohey, Alia Bhatt was trolled for similar reasons with the hashtags #
People also targeted Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt, father and sister of Alia Bhatt, respectively, for being anti-Hindu after the war was released.
Red Label on Islamophobia
Tea brand Brooke Bond Red Label released an ad in 2018, but it was cornered on Twitter after 11 months. The tea brand decided to make an ad on Ganesh Chaturthi, but that did not come up as a good idea. The ad was slammed for promoting Islamophobia, where a Hindu man refused to bring Ganpati Bappa home as it was carved and sold by a Muslim man. But as soon as the Hindu man takes a sip of Red Label Tea, he steps back and changes his mind.
Twitter was filled with anger and rage after this ad by claims that it portrays Hindus as intolerant.
The hashtags were not only against the brand Red label but also for the entire Hindustan Unilever unit. The brand was accused of selective secularism and targeting Hindu festivals.
What do you think? Do these controversial ads were worth hating? Is there a problem with the ad of Aamir & Kiara there is a problem on being Ghar Jamai? Showing women in an empowered position is against religion or tradition?
