Social media users are furious over a Pakistani channel’s cricket World Cup advertisement featuring a spoof using Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman’s lookalike as a prop. Many have taken to social media and termed the “mocking” act “cheap” and “shameful”.
The advertisement takes us back to the conversation that Abhinandan had with the Pakistani Army after he was captured following the Balakot airstrike.
Abhinandan again 🤣☕️
That’s an interesting idea about Pakistan-India match in @cricketworldcup being played on 16th June 🏏 #PakvsIndia #Abhinandan #CWC19 #IndiavsPak pic.twitter.com/W3EzxJfYdn— Cultural Maverick (@CulturalMaverik) June 11, 2019
The India-Pakistan match is scheduled to take place on June 16 as part of the ICC World Cup 2019, hosted by England.
Both Pakistan And India Slammed
In the advertisement, a man is seen dressed up like Abhinandan, sporting his trademark moustache. In response to questions asked about the match, he is seen saying ”I’m sorry, I am not supposed to tell you this”.This character too is holding a teacup.
Social media users have slammed Pakistan and condemned the advertisement “mocking” India’s hero.
Pakistan should be broken into pieces.Let this disgraceful ad begin the end of Pakistan. Sincere and heartfelt curses to the nation who mocked our hero, Sir #Abhinandan .
— Prathamesh Patkar (@Prathamesh2025) June 12, 2019
“For Pakistan advertising is the continuation of war by other means. Having lost all actual real battles with India, Pakistan is now attempting to win the media war through bad taste advertising that only reinforces the view of Pakistan’s military impotence”, one Lawrence Sellin wrote.
For Pakistan advertising is the continuation of war by other means. Having lost all actual real battles with India, Pakistan is now attempting to win the media war through bad taste advertising that only reinforces the view of Pakistan’s military impotence.https://t.co/JPGxPAMHeT
— Lawrence Sellin (@LawrenceSellin) June 12, 2019
“It’s shameful for the agency to choose a POW incident and create a satire called commercial!?! It’s extremely bad in taste in terms of its analogy, pun or figure of speech. Must ban this ad!!,” a Twitter user BugattiMonk wrote.
#Abhinandan
It’s shameful for the agency to choose a POW incident and create a satire called commercial!?! It’s extremely bad in taste in terms of its analogy, pun or figure of speech. Must ban this ad!!
pic.twitter.com/Vsg9Yi3vCe— BugattiMonk (@BugattiMonk) June 11, 2019
However, Star Sports had launched a ‘Mauka Mauka’ advertisement during the 2015 ICC World Cup to promote the India vs. Pakistan match, referring to Pakistan losing to India.
Another advertisement that had surfaced had referred to India as Pakistan’s father, keeping in mind that Pakistan always lost to India.
Some Twitter users, keeping this advertisement in mind, have accused India of being hypocritical.
The fact that everybody is going ballistic on the Abhinandan ad means it has done its work, and brilliantly so! We've been doing Mauka Mauka and Baap Baap Hota Hai since forever. Let them have their quota of fun. And let's all laugh some. May the best team win.
India, that is.😎
— Vaibhav Vishal (@ofnosurnamefame) June 11, 2019
“For peoples of India who are burning on Abhinandan Ad. You can see this disgusting and cheap ad
#
For peoples of India who are burning on Abhinandan Ad . You can see this disgusting and cheap ad #Abhinandan https://t.co/qTyXcYtuHn
— Shakeeb Arshad (@ArshadShakeeb) June 11, 2019
Also Read: Election Commission Asks Facebook To Take Down Abhinandan’s Photos Posted By BJP MLA
