Hit or Miss: The week in ads

Some ads dazzle. Some fizzle. And some leave you wondering if the brand was held hostage by an overenthusiastic scriptwriter. This week’s crop serves up the usual cocktail of chaos: a pinch of brilliance, a dash of confusion, and a whole lot of “Wait, what did I just watch?”

From high-concept cheese fantasies to paint ads that want to start a revolution, we’re decoding which campaigns deserve applause, and which ones need a polite “thanks, but no.” Because in the world of advertising, intentions are noble, budgets are bloated, and the line between genius and gimmick is thinner than a pre-roll skip button. Here's our no-nonsense, full-heart, slightly savage breakdown of the week in ads. Hit or miss? You tell us, but we’ll go first.

Candyman's ‘Soury Not Sorry’

This campaign embraces bold, unapologetic teen energy with Gen Z slang, meme-style humour, and OTT expressions of sourness. The visuals are colourful and chaotic, matching the candy’s punchy flavour profile. It nails youth relatability, meme potential, and product-personality sync without trying too hard, making it a hit.

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Too Yumm's ad featuring Ananya Panday

This ad shows her navigating snack cravings with sass, humour, and guilt-free flair. The ad leans into health-conscious munching without losing out on taste, highlighting the “binge without guilt” message. Despite star power, the script feels flat and forgettable. It's a miss.

Sunfeast Cheese Wowzers Ad

Sunfeast Cheese Wowzers’ ad stars Shah Rukh Khan in a dramatic, cheese-loaded showcase of its 14-layer crispy cracker. With sugar sprinkles and SRK flair, it promises “Wow” in every bite. Visually indulgent, star-powered, and snackable, just like the product it promotes. It's a hit.

Sunfeast Mom’s Magic ad

This ad beautifully normalizes and celebrates adoption in India by showing a mother lovingly embracing her adopted daughter’s milestones. The narrative is warm, subtle, and emotionally resonant, reinforcing that love, not birth, is what makes a mom. A heartfelt story with social impact and brand soul, definitely a hit.

Lenovo’s ad featuring Jasprit Bumrah and Mythpat

The ad blends gaming and cricket with a playful rivalry, showcasing the Legion Go’s versatility. The banter, quick cuts, and dual fandom appeal hit the youth and gaming crowd hard. Smart influencer mix, crisp storytelling, and product-first focus score big. It's a hit.

Swiggy Instamart’s “Big or Small, We Deliver It All”

This ad turns a robbery into comedy gold. A family calmly orders replacements mid-heist, while robbers awkwardly wait. With 35,000+ SKUs delivered instantly, the ad is absurd yet effective. Sharp humour meets smart product showcase, making it a hit.

Birla Opus Paints 'Celebrating Colours of India'

This ad brings Hawa Mahal of Jaipur to life with vibrant colours, animation, and a spirited Opus Boy. Set to Ram Sampath’s music, it blends cultural pride with community action, echoing “Duniya Ko Rang Do.” Visually rich, emotionally grounded, and true to brand philosophy. A beautiful hit.

Himalaya’s Anti-Hair Fall Shampoo Ad

This ad shows two friends on a swing, using the metaphor of support to reflect the shampoo’s “Won’t Let You Fall” promise, powered by Bhringaraja. Though warm and scenic, the storytelling feels dated and generic, lacking freshness or a brand recall. It's a miss.