Hit or Miss: The week in ads

Our take on ads that caught our eye or failed to impress

by Soumya Gawri
Published: Mar 15, 2025 9:18 AM | 3 min read

Another week, another brand blitz—some ads made us sit up and take notes, while others had us scratching our heads. This week, nostalgia was in full swing, with legends making a comeback, surprise collabs keeping things interesting, and brands flexing their creativity (or lack thereof). Aamir Khan and Ranbir Kapoor locked horns in the Dream11 universe, Shah Rukh Khan and Zeenat Aman served up a dose of old-school charm, and Truecaller finally figured out the iPhone puzzle (cue slow clap). But did they all deliver, or were some just background noise in the ad rush? Let’s dive in and separate the hits from the misses!

GRM Overseas ad

Salman Khan was featured in the GRM overseas 10X Classic Chakki Atta. Despite Salman Khan’s star power, the ad feels generic and lacks a fresh hook. The messaging is predictable, failing to create a lasting impact and missing the mark.

Adani Group’s 'Journey of Dreams'

This ad by the Adani Group, beautifully blends scale with sentiment. A father-daughter moment highlights how Adani’s ports don’t just transport goods—they deliver dreams. By humanizing infrastructure and showcasing its impact on small businesses, the ad strikes an emotional chord while reinforcing Adani’s role in enabling progress. A compelling, well-crafted narrative that's definitely a big hit.

Britannia Marie Gold ad

A powerful tribute to Paralympian Avani Lekhara through Marie Gold special edition biscuits. It’s inspiring, purposeful branding that celebrates real achievement while subtly reinforcing the product’s identity. It's a hit.

Cadbury Dairy Milk – Chaaklet

Cadbury once again tugs at heartstrings with its inclusivity theme. The message of bridging differences through sweetness aligns well with the brand’s long-standing emotional positioning. It's a wholesome hit.

iD Fresh Food Ad

A warm, relatable take on how food connects people across cultures. The storytelling is simple yet effective, making the brand feel like a part of everyday life. The iD parota ad is definitely a yummy hit.

Daawat Ad

Daawat's new "Bring Out Your Finest" ad with Shah Rukh Khan & Zeenat Aman is goijg viral.A rare and elegant pairing that exudes old-school charm. The visual storytelling and emotional warmth make it a delightful watch, reinforcing Daawat’s premium appeal. It's a big hit.

Truecaller – Finally Works on iPhone

Truecaller came out with a funny awareness ad. The premise is fun, but the execution feels stretched. While the nostalgia factor with Deepak Tijori is interesting, the ad doesn’t land as impactfully as it could. The excitement of the feature gets overshadowed by the attempt at humor. It was a miss.

Licious – Gulaal & Gravy

A refreshing take on Holi celebrations, this campaign successfully ties food with festivity. The creative fusion of colors and cuisine makes for a visually appealing and culturally relevant ad, strengthening Licious’ positioning in a unique way. It's a hit.

Eno – Game On!

Bringing humor to heartburn, Eno teams up with comedian Aakash Gupta for a playful take on indigestion relief. The ad cleverly blends relatable food struggles with Aakash’s signature comedic timing, making the message digestible (pun intended). But does it leave a lasting impact or just a chuckle? The ad effectively uses humor to drive home the brand’s promise, making an otherwise mundane category fun and engaging. its the best of list with dream 11 ad neck to neck, are you keeping the scores?