Banking Advertisement Featuring Kiara Advani and Aamir Khan Receives Mixed Reviews

The new banking advert featuring Kiara Advani and Aamir Khan has created quite a stir on social media and news channels. It has also hurt the sentiment of the Madhya Pradesh home minister Narottam Mishra. 

The advertisement shows the newlyweds discussing that they didn’t cry during the Vidaai ceremony. 

Going further the ad shows the groom taking the first step into the bride’s home as opposed to the general norm where the bride takes the first step. 

“Why should traditions that have continued for centuries continue to do so? That is why we question every banking tradition to give you the best service”, Aamir says in the ad. 

This advertisement has received mixed reviews.

Many believe that the advertisement was not created to “target” a section of the community. It is an ad created on a lighter note to look into common gender stereotypes that have been followed religiously over the years. There was no intention to hurt religious sentiments. 

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That said, there is another section that believes that the ad was created intentionally to hurt Hindus. Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra said, “I do not consider it appropriate. Such things about Indian traditions, customs, and deities keep coming, especially about Aamir Khan. The sentiments of a particular religion are hurt by such acts. I believe he is not allowed to hurt anyone’s sentiments,” said Mr Mishra.

Today most advertisements are social tools to send a message across to society, usually a  positive message. To question certain regressive traditions to make society more progressive, to promote the position of women in society who have long been suppressed in certain sections, and to make the overall society more liberal for the benefit of all. 

Likewise, this advertisement was also created for these reasons and not to target a community or hurt sentiments. The ad depicts a happy couple who are promoting a message of “equality” and love between the couple and the respective families. 

What’s your take on this controversy? Is the ad hurting Hindu sentiments or are we being over sensitive? Would the situation still be the same if another actor was in the ad instead of Aamir Khan?