Why Is Ranveer Singh, Johnny Sins’s 'Bold' Ad Sparking Controversy?

Ranveer Singh and Johnny Sins recently collaborated on a new advertisement for a men's health brand, which stirred up quite a buzz. The teaser takes a comedic twist, mimicking the melodramatic scenes often seen in Indian daily soaps. The use of familiar Indian serial tropes combined with unexpected casting choices has intrigued audiences, making this advertisement stand out and garner attention.

What's in the ad?

The advertisement parodies a classic Indian soap opera storyline featuring a family dispute with a comedic twist. Ranveer Singh and Johnny Sins, along with the rest of the cast, don traditional attire for the skit. The scene unfolds with Singh questioning Sin’s wife about her departure from their home, leading to melodramatic interactions among the family members. Eventually, the conflict is resolved when Sin’s wife opts to remain after the introduction of a capsule purportedly improving men's sexual health.

Take a look at the advertisement

Why Is The Ad Making Buzz?

The advertisement is generating significant attention for various reasons, such as the surprising collaboration between prominent figures from Bollywood and the adult film industry. Additionally, the commercial employs clichéd TV tropes in a humorous manner to convey its message. Moreover, it is noteworthy for challenging sex-related stigmas prevalent in a country where discussions about safe sex and sex education are often stigmatized. The ad has sparked widespread discussions on social media, with people expressing their views and opinions about it.

Biggest crossover :

Deadpool X Wolverine ❌

Johnny Sins X Ranveer Singh 👇 pic.twitter.com/OcOKwsBWIo

— Ronaldo_07 (@Ronaldo0765146) February 13, 2024

Hahahahahaha... this is a brilliant way to use a celebrity in an ad 😂 Not only does not use Ranveer Singh (and Johnny Sins - 'Google' him!) in a totally unexpected (and hilarious) way using the much-derided Indian TV series trope, but it also makes the product category far more… pic.twitter.com/ULWLcEsgAJ

— Karthik 🇮🇳 (@beastoftraal) February 12, 2024

Bold Ad Challenges Taboos

Most of us are aware of the melodramatic nature of Indian television serials, and by using familiar elements from daily soaps, such as family drama and emotional conflicts, it immediately captured the attention of viewers and also injected humour while delivering its message on sexual health. Its bold approach to challenging societal stigmas around sex discussions, often taboo in India, is praiseworthy. 

Popular TV actor Rashami Desai Expresses Discontent

Television actor Rashami Desai expressed her disappointment with the ad, describing it as a "slap" to the TV industry. She voiced her sentiments in a lengthy note, emphasizing her journey from regional films to television and highlighting the significance of the small screen in reaching a wide audience. Desai felt that the ad portrayed television actors in a demeaning light, suggesting that they are treated as inferior to those in Bollywood. While acknowledging the portrayal of reality, she viewed it as a reality check for the TV industry. Despite her emotional reaction, Desai emphasized her respect for the TV industry's cultural and loving portrayal of audiences.

Other Actors Who Praised It 

While Rashami Desai criticised the ad for its portrayal of the TV industry, other television stars seemed to embrace the humorous depiction of typical Indian TV shows featured in the clip. Tina Datta, Rashami Desai's co-star in the TV show Uttaran, responded with laughter to Singh's post. Nakuul Mehta, a prominent figure in the television industry, expressed his approval by commenting, "Acing my day job and how." Similarly, Ravi Dubey, another TV star, responded with multiple LOL emojis. Kiku Sharda, known for his role in The Kapil Sharma Show, exclaimed, "Hahahahahaha, this is insane." Karan Tacker and Parth Samthaan, both TV stars, joined in with LOL emojis to express their amusement.

On the other hand, several other celebrities praised the ad. Priyanka Chopra reacted with emojis, while Bollywood actors Vijay Varma and Arjun Kapoor commended the boldness and creativity displayed in the commercial.