Fake Ad Campaigns, Not New for Bollywood! Before Poonam Pandey, THESE celebs gave us EMOTIONAL DAMAGE!
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An unwanted publicity stunt by Poonam Pandey to promote cervical cancer awareness transformed her into a national villain overnight. But, why not? This was uncalled for! The actress-influencer is now facing a severe backlash, both online and off after she spread false news about her death, in a bid to spread awareness about the health condition. Though nobody has stooped down so low as much as Poonam Pandey did, there have been celebrities, especially Bollywood celebrities who gave shockers through their fake advertisement campaigns hurting the sentiments of their fans. Here is a list of them -
Last year in January, a video surfaced on social media in which Ranbir Kapoor was throwing off a male fan's mobile after he tried to click a selfie with the actor. In the video, the 'Brahmastra' actor first posed happily for the selfie, but later, he took the fan's phone and threw it away. However, the video was all 'scripted' and was a part of his advertisement campaign for a new product launched by Oppo India. The actual video was later uploaded by Oppo India. The earlier video was shared with the aim gain virality.
Dulquer Salman, who not only enjoys widespread admiration in the Malayalam film industry but also across nation, caused worry among his fans when he revealed his prolonged sleeplessness on Instagram. He shared the video with a caption, "I haven't slept in a while. I experienced something for the first time, and things haven't been the same. It's reached a point where I just can't get it out of my mind. I want to say more, but I'm not sure I'm allowed." Later, he made it clear that the matter was related to an advertisement video for a mobile phone. "The spell that this mobile cast on me is stronger than I thought. Even meditation couldn't help me keep it away. It's hard to not get obsessed with it, but I'm going to try again. Maybe next, I should try tech therapy," he wrote.
The deepfake videos that were circulating about the celebrities had expressed concerns. Similarly, Nora Fatehi took to Instagram to express shock and dismay over a brand using her deepfake for promotions. The brand, named Lulumelon, was advertising a nearly “100% off” end-of-season sale in a video featuring Fatehi. This seemed true. But the whole incident was a collaboration between Fatehi and HDFC.
Such marketing gimmicks do work from the perspective of getting people's attention, but they erode trust, both for the celeb and the brand that makes them do this for money! Paison Ke Liye Kuch Bhi?
1. Kajol
Newsbharati had reported last year, that Kajol, one of the most loved actresses in Bollywood had enraged her fans via a promotional stunt. The actress had announced a break from social media by sharing a cryptic post about her life on Instagram. She mentioned that she is "facing one of the toughest trials" of her life. To deal with her struggles, the 48-year-old said she had decided to take a break from social media. She even deleted and archived all her other Instagram posts. The post left her fans confused and concerned. However, the actor later clarified that the cryptic post was part of a promotional strategy for her upcoming OTT series 'The Trial: Pyaar, Kaanoon, Dhoka'.
2. Ranbir Kapoor
Last year in January, a video surfaced on social media in which Ranbir Kapoor was throwing off a male fan's mobile after he tried to click a selfie with the actor. In the video, the 'Brahmastra' actor first posed happily for the selfie, but later, he took the fan's phone and threw it away. However, the video was all 'scripted' and was a part of his advertisement campaign for a new product launched by Oppo India. The actual video was later uploaded by Oppo India. The earlier video was shared with the aim gain virality.
Just in case you’ve missed it, #RanbirKapoor hands a fan an upgrade of a lifetime with the new #OPPOReno8T 😉🔥
— OPPO India (@OPPOIndia) January 29, 2023
The new OPPO RENO 8T strikes the perfect balance between immersive visuals & a relaxed grip for an all-round premium experience ⚡️
Releasing Feb 3rd.#AStepAbove pic.twitter.com/8PBUZpZgrt
Also Read: "Worst Publicity Stunt": Poonam Pandey fakes her demise for raising "awareness" on cervical cancer, leaves netizens fuming
3. Dulquer Salman
Dulquer Salman, who not only enjoys widespread admiration in the Malayalam film industry but also across nation, caused worry among his fans when he revealed his prolonged sleeplessness on Instagram. He shared the video with a caption, "I haven't slept in a while. I experienced something for the first time, and things haven't been the same. It's reached a point where I just can't get it out of my mind. I want to say more, but I'm not sure I'm allowed." Later, he made it clear that the matter was related to an advertisement video for a mobile phone. "The spell that this mobile cast on me is stronger than I thought. Even meditation couldn't help me keep it away. It's hard to not get obsessed with it, but I'm going to try again. Maybe next, I should try tech therapy," he wrote.
#DulquerSalmaan posted a video on Instagram and he deleted it in minutes after getting some controversial comments on it. What’s happening?
— Trollers-D™ (@Trollers_D) July 2, 2023
4. Nora Fatehi
The deepfake videos that were circulating about the celebrities had expressed concerns. Similarly, Nora Fatehi took to Instagram to express shock and dismay over a brand using her deepfake for promotions. The brand, named Lulumelon, was advertising a nearly “100% off” end-of-season sale in a video featuring Fatehi. This seemed true. But the whole incident was a collaboration between Fatehi and HDFC.
#NoraFatehi latest victim to deepfake videos, issues clarification
— IANS (@ians_india) January 21, 2024
Read: https://t.co/bpR4QFFpGK pic.twitter.com/frcdcLfq82
5. Anushka Sharma
In 2022, actress Anushka Sharma called out Puma India over using her picture wearing the brand's clothes to promote EOSS promotions. The 34-year-old actor asked Puma to use her imagery only after onboarding her as a brand ambassador. Her partner, Virat Kohli, who also happens to be Puma’s endorser, shared the post asking Puma to look into it. It had sent shockwaves. But, the very next day Puma on-boarded Sharma and revealed that the social media banter was staged.
Also Read: Anushka Sharma slamming Puma India was a promotional stunt but is it correct?
Such marketing gimmicks do work from the perspective of getting people's attention, but they erode trust, both for the celeb and the brand that makes them do this for money! Paison Ke Liye Kuch Bhi?