Bollywood
After the advertisement was released and audiences saw it, social media users took offence at it considering how words like 'photon', 'algorithm' and 'paradox' were included in the script to take a jibe at late actor Sushant Singh Rajput, who loved talking about science, stars and all things space.
Updated : Nov 19, 2020, 08:57 PM IST | Edited by : Mugdha Kapoor
Of late, social media has been abuzz with calls for boycotting or taking down one advertisement or another for hurting religious sentiments or not being in good spirit.
The recent target of netizens wrath is popular chips and snack brand Bingo and it's ambassador Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh, who are both alleged to be making fun of late actor Sushant Singh Rajput through their latest collaboration for an advertisement titled ‘Beta aage kya plan hai’.
The now controversial advertisement plays out with Ranveer Singh attending a house party when an elder person asks him about his future plans. Soon, several uncles and aunties suggest ideal plans while Ranveer, after having a Bingo chip, utters some scientific terms like 'photon', 'algorithm' and 'paradox' to shut down the relatives.
And as soon as confused relatives walk away, Ranveer reveals that the only solution to such tricky questions is by using a 'mad angle'.
After the advertisement was released and audiences saw it, social media users took offence at it considering how words like 'photon', 'algorithm' and 'paradox' were included in the script to take a jibe at late actor Sushant Singh Rajput, who loved talking about science, stars and all things space. In fact, Sushant's Instagram bio reads, "Photon in a double-slit". The late actor often also mentioned about algorithms and space in his social media posts.
Consequently, the advertisement led Twitterati to believe that Ranveer was making fun of Sushant and so they demanded that the advert be pulled down and also trended #BoycottBingo to express their anger over the ad.
Some users also made attacks on the Gully Boy actor, questioning his education qualification etc.
Take a look at some of the tweets here:
It is extremely disappointing to see the educational and scientific expertise of @itsSSR is being brutally mocked by a person representing a chips brand!
— Dr. Sunny Duttagupta (@sunnydg23) November 18, 2020
Not sure what his educational qualification is
Sad to see all efforts for #CBIFile302InSSRCase goes in vain#BoycottBingo https://t.co/Q0BbnVsyDv
#BoycottBingo for shamelessly making fun of SSR thru it's brand ambassador @RanveerOfficial .. Best if you guys take this advertisement down and remove Mr. Ranveer being face for your company.. else face huge boycott@ITCCorpCom pic.twitter.com/I2256eJDgE
— Amit Verma: GotPromotedToManager (@PhotonSupport) November 18, 2020
See how Ranveer Singh and bingo together make fun of SSR.
— DAYANAND BAIRAGI (@Imonly4sushant) November 19, 2020
Their tagline should be "Brand of India but not pride of India" #BoycottBingo#RepublicRoar4SSR pic.twitter.com/CJcSu7KeCP
Illitrate ppl dont know wht photon and Neutron matters for us @itsSSR #BoycottBingo Forever #BoycottBollywood
— Mrs,Priya Sushant Singh Rajput (@PriyaSh78692980) November 18, 2020
I Still Remember Photon in a double slit
n its Defination though pic.twitter.com/KUqbwfucSM
@RanveerOfficial I just want to know who dubbed your portion in the ad?
— Srinwanti (@srinwanti_munai) November 18, 2020
I'm sure you don't know meaning of a single word here!
If any chance you know, brief me what is Algorithm! Or what is Photon!
Level matters, mocking doesn't!#BoycottBingo #NoSushantNoBollywood pic.twitter.com/gA32iyAY51
We will not tolerate any insult of our hero Sushant. So put down the particular add of Bingo featuring Ranveer Singh.#BoycottBingo
— Epshita Roy (@epshita_roy) November 19, 2020
While such massive social media backlash often led to the brand taking down the video, Bingo did not do so. However, it hid the likes and dislikes from YouTube on the advertisement titled ‘Beta aage kya plan hai’ video which many Twitter users pointed out.
Yeh darr acchha laga.
— Krutika (@krutika_SSR) November 18, 2020
'Like/dislike" & "comments" are hidden.
If you dont have audacity to face the heat of public anger (that too by virtue of your own deed) then ou should have thought of it while writing script.@amairas_07 @PhotonSupport #BoycottBingo#NoSushantNoBollywood pic.twitter.com/7RVI9qE07l
Meanwhile, a few weeks ago, Jewellery brand Tanishq was targeted with accusations of promoting ‘love jihad’ in one of their ads. Later, the brand took it down after facing massive flak for it.