Hit or Miss: The week in ads

Another week, another mad dash through India’s adland circus. Brands are throwing everything at us, cricket legends, Bollywood stars, nostalgic throwbacks, and even social commentary, like it’s a high-stakes reality show where only the quirkiest survive. One campaign wants to tug at your patriotic heartstrings, another wants to sell you insurance through a celebrity pep-talk, and somewhere in between, a vacuum cleaner gets its fifteen seconds of fame.

What’s striking is the sheer chaos of it all. Independence Day hangovers, festive season teasers, global names stamping their local presence, this week felt like the advertising equivalent of a crowded street market: loud, colorful, occasionally gimmicky, but never boring. Some ads make you pause, some make you cringe, and a few might just earn a permanent spot in your memory playlist.

So, buckle up. We’re diving into the hits that soared, the misses that fizzled, and the ones that left us scratching our heads. Because in this ever-scrolling world, only the bold, or the bizarre, truly break through.

Sony Sports Network - Asia Cup 2025 campaign 

Sony Sports launched its Asia Cup 2025 campaign with the film “Rag Rag Mein Bharat” featuring Virender Sehwag. The narrative positions cricket as a unifying thread for the nation. Using Sehwag’s strong connect with Indian fans makes it emotionally powerful. It's a hit, as it smartly leverages national pride with cricket’s mass appeal.

Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance - #YeAkelaHiKaafiHai 

Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance rolled out its Super Term Plan through #YeAkelaHiKaafiHai starring Farhan Akhtar. The ad balances financial security messaging with relatability, showing Farhan as a credible face for responsibility-driven choices. It's a hit since it simplifies a complex product and adds star credibility without overcomplicating the storytelling.

Eureka Forbes - Shraddha Kapoor for Forbes Smartclean 

Shraddha Kapoor fronts the Eureka Forbes campaign for its vacuum cleaner range. The ad spotlights convenience and modern living, banking on Shraddha’s urban and aspirational image. While it delivers the product promise, the creative feels predictable. It's a miss, as it lacks novelty and doesn’t stand out in the crowded appliance advertising space.

Greenply MDF - ‘Latest Décor Ka Reply’ 

Greenply’s MDF campaign brings Jr NTR as brand ambassador, highlighting its 710 HDMR HDF and pre-laminated MDF range. The mix of celebrity trust with technical product superiority gives it both recall and authority. It's a hit, as it bridges aspiration with functional benefits, making MDF a mass conversation starter with strong regional impact.

Shell India - ‘Shell Chale Ban Ke Saathi’

Shell India’s campaign celebrates its century-long legacy in powering the nation. The ad highlights energy support and continuity, blending history with future commitment. While the storytelling feels corporate-heavy, the legacy positioning is strong. It's a hit, because it builds credibility and heritage, though it could use a more emotional human connect.

Bandhan Mutual Fund & Grey India - ‘Freedom at 19:47’

This cinematic film creatively freezes the year 1947 at the symbolic time of 19:47 to celebrate independence. It draws parallels between freedom and financial independence. It's a hit, as the execution is powerful and unique, making financial advertising poetic, which is rare in the category. It’s memorable and emotionally layered.

L’Oréal Paris - Aishwarya Rai Bachchan advocates self-worth

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s campaign addresses the growing issue of social media validation and self-worth. The film positions L’Oréal as more than beauty, linking it to empowerment. It's a hit since it strikes a cultural chord, though it slightly risks sounding like a global template campaign rather than uniquely Indian. Still, Aishwarya’s gravitas sells it.

SMART Bazaar - ‘Everything below MRP’

SMART Bazaar’s short ad drives home affordability by showing family food planning across generations, highlighting its price advantage. The creative is straightforward, focusing on value rather than storytelling. It's a miss as while the proposition is clear, the ad lacks freshness and creativity. It feels like a standard retail spot without strong recall.

 Airbnb Originals × Ananya Panday 

Airbnb brings its Originals to India with Bollywood star Ananya Panday curating a luxury lifestyle experience. The campaign cleverly mixes celebrity fandom with aspirational living, giving audiences a chance to step into her world. It's a hit because it turns brand engagement into an immersive, star-driven event rather than just accommodation marketing. 

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