The most talked-about ads of 2025
From megastar cameos to meme-ready humour, brands captured the emotional pulse of India in 2025
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Published: Dec 27, 2025 8:42 AM | 11 min read
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2025 in advertising was basically a Bollywood blockbuster with a twist, some drama, emotion, memes, and a dash of “Did they really just do that?” From big celebs pulling off cheeky charm to brands serving up nostalgia with a spicy modern remix, this year’s ads weren’t here to play safe. They crashed the party with bold moves, mixing heartfelt stories with savage humour, making us laugh, cry, and share faster than you can say “viral.”
Whether it was Ranveer going full-on spy mode in an action flick for noodles or Tinder turning dating nightmares into hilarious reality checks, brands showed they get us, our chaos, our feels, our unapologetic weirdness. And yeah, there was plenty of “Wait, did that just happen?” moments that had us hitting replay and tagging our squad.
The magic? Ads that didn’t just push products but nailed the vibe of 2025 India, messy, real, emotional, and always a little extra. So buckle up, because this year’s viral ads are proof that great storytelling + killer stars + a pinch of madness = marketing gold. Audience - approved, obviously.
Dream11 “Aapki Team Mein Kaun?” IPL 2025
Dream11’s IPL campaign film “Aapki Team Mein Kaun?” pits Bollywood megastars Aamir Khan and Ranbir Kapoor against each other in a playful rivalry to build their fantasy cricket sides, Aamir11 and Ranbir11, dragging top Indian cricketers like Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah into the banter. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the cinematic narrative blends humour, competition, cameos from Arbaaz Khan and Jackie Shroff, and familiar fan energy to turn a fantasy sports pitch into a star‑studded mini drama. It exploded online with millions of views within hours, with audiences loving its high‑production storytelling and crossover of film, sport and fandom.
Ching’s “Agent Ching Attacks”
Ching’s Secret turned its 2025 campaign into an 8‑minute, Bollywood‑style action spectacle, with Ranveer Singh starring as Agent Ching opposite Sreeleela and Bobby Deol, directed by blockbuster filmmaker Atlee. The narrative, complete with over‑the‑top fight sequences, comic‑book villain Professor White Noise and a catchy anthem, treats the product like a cinematic hero. This high‑octane approach, reportedly backed by a ₹150 crore budget, blurred film and advertising, igniting social buzz and millions of views online as audiences reacted to its scale, humour and sheer extravagance.
Cadbury 5 Star “Destroy Valentine’s Day”
Cadbury 5 Star’s 2025 Valentine’s campaign leaned into its irreverent “Eat 5 Star, Do Nothing” ethos by literally enlisting “uncles” older couples the brand claims historically kill trends to flood Valentine’s Day with over‑the‑top romance and social content, making it uncool for younger audiences. Conceived by Ogilvy, the campaign turned a playful cultural insight into an interactive movement, backed by nominations and social activation. Its cheeky humour, satire of V‑Day norms and meme‑ready premise made it one of the most talked‑about anti‑Valentine’s campaigns online.
Flipkart Big Billion Days “Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai”
Flipkart’s Big Billion Days returns with the rallying theme “Yahan Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai,” aiming to capture the sense of unexpected delight around its festive shopping slate. The campaign leans on a mix of legacy stars like Amitabh Bachchan and Alia Bhatt and social creators across platforms to turn shopping moments into cultural conversation and anticipation for the sale’s deals and experiences.
Crocs Monsoon Romance
Crocs’ monsoon campaign blends K-drama aesthetics and Bollywood charm by casting Indian actor Siddhant Chaturvedi opposite South Korean star Chae Soo-bin. Set in rain-soaked streets, the short film uses a classic meet-cute and slow-burn “enemies-to-lovers” vibe to highlight monsoon-special Jibbitz charms. Fans loved the cross-cultural pairing and cinematic feel, calling it a fresh East-meets-West narrative.
Vinsmera Jewels - Mohanlal Ad
Vinsmera Jewels’ ad featuring Malayalam superstar Mohanlal went viral for upending conventional jewellery advertising by showing the actor in a playful, gender-fluid moment. Starting on a shoot set, Mohanlal quietly absconds with diamond pieces, then, alone in his vanity van, adorns himself and moves with graceful, expressive elegance, challenging norms around masculinity and jewellery. Fans praised his effortless transition between masculine and feminine energy, and the ad sparked debate on beauty and gender roles online.
Uber India x Bhuvan Bam - Uber One Membership
Uber India’s digital campaign for its new Uber One membership leaned into a playful phonetic twist, roping in content creator Bhuvan Bam to spotlight exclusive benefits and perks. Bam reprises his popular “Angry Masterji” character in humorous clips that cleverly drive the “one” theme while showcasing ride and priority service advantages. Within days, the campaign registered over 11 million views, 1 million likes and 131,000 shares, proving the power of creator‑led engagement in performance led activations.
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Instamart Quick India Movement - Ajay Devgn
Instamart’s Quick India Movement Sale film reimagines Ajay Devgn’s iconic split from Phool Aur Kaante to symbolize instant gratification and the brand’s 10-minute delivery promise. Instead of motorcycles, Devgn balances on everyday essentials like speakers and water jugs with the tagline “Jo mujhe chahiye, abhi chahiye,” blending nostalgia and absurdity to mirror modern impatience.The ad leans into meme-driven cultural moments to capture festive urgency and spark social shares.
Call Me Chunky Ice Cream ft. Arjun Kapoor
Call Me Chunky’s debut campaign, Unlocking Emotions, One Chunk at a Time, leans into Bollywood actor Arjun Kapoor’s famously deadpan expressions, placing him in exaggerated, meme-worthy scenarios where nothing, not a ghostly encounter or even a dramatic mishap, breaks his poker face. Only when he tastes the textured, indulgent ice cream do surprise, joy and laughter flood out, embodying the brand’s bold, playful identity. This twist on Kapoor’s viral persona made the film widely shared and talked about online.
The Hindu - “Who Writes the News You Read”
The Hindu’s brand film shifts attention from headlines to the people behind them, following reporters, sub-editors and editors through verification, fact-checking and late-night desk work. The ad positions journalism as a process, not a product, foregrounding credibility at a time of misinformation. Its quiet, documentary-style storytelling stood out precisely because it resisted spectacle, earning appreciation for reaffirming trust and editorial rigour rather than chasing virality.
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Nothing ‘Go Subtle or Go Nothing’
Nothing’s Diwali film opens like a familiar festive commercial, sentimental gifting scenes, warm visuals, before quickly flipping the script with sarcastic narration and characters breaking the fourth wall. Comedian Samay Raina’s voiceover guides viewers through playful riffs on Diwali rituals, like turning a Nothing Phone (3) into fairy lights or earbuds into rangoli elements. By parodying its own genre, the campaign stood out in a cluttered festive ad season, earning praise for humour and meta‑storytelling that felt fresh and bold.
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Zomato Father’s Day - “Before apps, there was Appa”
Zomato’s Father’s Day films tapped emotional insights into fatherhood. One version cheekily declares “Before apps, there was appa,” showing a dad doing everything modern convenience apps now do, celebrating daily acts of care. Another version, “Who says dads don’t talk much?” shows a quiet dad proudly telling everyone about his son’s chess win, flipping subtle love into shared joy.
Shark Tank India Season 5 Promo
The Season 5 promo opens with fictional corporate leaders passionately urging employees to stay loyal, glorifying late nights and warning against quitting to “chase risky startup dreams.” The satire slowly reveals its twist, these bosses are terrified of Shark Tank turning staff into entrepreneurs. As afaqs noted, the film uses reverse psychology, ending with “registrations are open, but don’t apply.” The sharp, culture-aware critique of hustle culture struck a nerve, making it widely shared and debated.
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Mokobara x Diljit Dosanjh - “Next Show… Mars par?”
Mokobara’s quirky ad starring Diljit Dosanjh mixes sci-fi humour and Bollywood-style action as a fictional “Elon Paji” invites him to perform on Mars, sparking chaotic, over-the-top scenarios that spotlight the brand’s “no questions asked” 30-day return policy. The campaign’s larger-than-life plot and Diljit’s charm generated meme-worthy traction online, even trending under #DiljitOnMars.
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Spotify ‘What’s On Your Wrapped’
Spotify extends Wrapped culture through playful banter between Ba****ds of Bollywood loved pair, Raghav Juyal and Imran Khan, turning listening habits into personality traits. The ad thrives on relatability and digital-native humour. Fans loved how it celebrated individuality without trying too hard.
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Prime Video ‘Family Man’ Promo with Samay, Tanmay & Rebel Kid
Post-controversy, Prime Video’s promo leaned into internet creators to reset tone and regain relevance. Using humour and self-awareness, it reframed conversation around content rather than noise. The bold move paid off, sparking discussion and signalling cultural agility.
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MakeMyTrip 25th Anniversary
The ad celebrates MakeMyTrip’s 25-year journey, with Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh flipping through memories of travel from handwritten tickets and long queues to digital convenience. It blends nostalgia, humour and a playful future vision, reinforcing the brand as India’s travel companion and explaining why viewers loved its relatability and charm.
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Prega News Women’s Day 2025 - ‘She Can Carry Both’
The film challenges outdated expectations by showing women balancing ambition and motherhood without guilt. Its grounded portrayal and progressive messaging struck a strong emotional chord. Viewers appreciated its clarity, not choosing sides, but validating choice.
Sourav “Gangoogly” for Google
Google’s IPL campaign turns Sourav Ganguly into “Sourav Gangoogly,” playfully ambushing legends with quirky search queries and gamified trivia. Its humour, star power and meme-worthy moments made it stick in people’s feeds, turning simple search into entertainment and sparking social buzz through sharable punchlines.
Spinny “God Promise” with Sachin Tendulkar
Spinny leans into Indian trust cues by pairing Sachin Tendulkar with the phrase “God Promise,” positioning credibility as its core offering. The calm, assurance-led storytelling contrasts sharply with loud auto ads. People loved its sincerity, cultural familiarity and the way it simplified a high-involvement decision into a trust-first narrative.
Swiggy Instamart Valentine’s “InstaTohfa”
Swiggy Instamart revived the classic “Tohfa Tohfa” with Tusshaar Kapoor to spread inclusive love beyond couples, to friends, family and pets, by delivering thoughtful gifts in minutes. Its nostalgic hook and upbeat execution resonated widely, turning a quick-commerce pitch into a feel-good Valentine’s story.
Vinod Cookware Mother’s Day 2025
Vinod Cookware’s Mother’s Day film subverts kitchen stereotype by honoring emotional care over culinary skills. Through a heartfelt mother-daughter interaction, it celebrated motherhood’s depth beyond chores. Its emotional nuance and warm authenticity struck a chord in a cluttered category, earning it love for thoughtful storytelling.
Tinder “Dating Scaries” Campaign
Tinder’s Dating Scaries series uses Halloween humour to turn modern dating red flags like ghosting, gaslighting and ambiguous “situationships” into bingeable, satirical episodes. Iconic villains Urvashi Dholakia (as Komolika), Rajat Bedi and Dalip Tahil reprise their personas to educate young daters on honesty and self‑awareness with tongue‑in‑cheek comedy and truth‑bomb lines. The campaign’s playful take on uncomfortable realities made it widely shared and talked about online.
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Acko “Munna & Circuit” Health Insurance Campaign
ACKO revived the beloved Munna Bhai and Circuit characters in its “Health Insurance ki Subah ho Gayi Maamu” campaign, directed by Rajkumar Hirani, to simplify and demystify health insurance. The films show the duo questioning age‑old industry pain points, like zero waiting periods, 100% bill payment and room rent capping, with their signature banter, humour and chemistry. This fresh, unexpected use of iconic characters made the complex category entertaining and widely shareable.
Myntra EORS Shoot Cancelled
Myntra’s End of Reason Sale ad flips the typical runway narrative: Farah Khan literally “skips” directing, leaving SRK and Kiara to improvise hilarious set antics. The meta, behind-the-scenes spoof on fashion ads delighted viewers with its self-aware humour and star chemistry, making sale messaging fun and memorable.
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