The World Cup fever is taking over the advertising industry. Brands are coming up with creative copies, jingles and taglines to cash in on the love for cricket around the globe.
Ahead of the India-Pakistan match on June 16, Pakistan has released an ad that mocks Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was taken into custody by Pakistan armed forces after his MiG-21 Bison was shot down by a Pakistani Air Force Jet in February 2019. He returned to India a hero and has been lauded for his bravery while in captivity.
The advertisement has received immense backlash on the internet for being racist and inappropriate. In the 33-second clip, a lookalike of Abhinandan Varthaman with his trademark beard is seen wearing the Indian cricket jersey, sipping tea and answering questions about the match. And all he does is repeat Abhinandan’s statement, “I’m sorry, I am not supposed to tell you this.” He poorly mimics a South-Indian accent, further enraging the Indian audience.
Watch the ad here:
Jazz TV advt on #CWC19 takes the Indo-Pak air duel to new level. It uses the air duel over Nowshera and Wing Co Abhinandan Varthaman’s issue as a prop. @IAF_MCC @thetribunechd @SpokespersonMoD @DefenceMinIndia pic.twitter.com/30v4H6MOpU
— Ajay Banerjee (@ajaynewsman) June 11, 2019
It is done in poor taste and the netizens can’t keep calm.
1. We’re Disappointed Too!
2. Shameful Indeed
3. That’s The Point!
4. Absolutely Racist
5. Sher Aaya, Sher!
This Pakistani ad seemed to be an answer to the one that India released two days ago. The ad shows a Pakistani man being wished all the best by a Bangladeshi fan for upcoming India vs Pakistan match. As the Pakistani fan remembers his father’s words on how one must keep trying and should never give up, the more boisterous Indian fan interjects with a one-liner, “Maine Aisa Bab Kaha?” (I never said this), implying that India is actually the ‘father’ out of which both Pakistan and Bangladesh have been carved out. The fact that it is Father’s Day on June 16 is also becoming fodder for memes.
This #FathersDay, watch an ICC #CWC19 match jo dekh ke bas bol sakte hain, “baap re baap!” 😉
Catch #INDvPAK in the race for the #CricketKaCrown, LIVE on June 16th, only on Star Sports! pic.twitter.com/Apo3R8QrbO
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) June 9, 2019
What do you think about the two ads? Do let us know.
Also, are you excited for the India-Pak match?
Featured Image: Twitter
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