When we were kids, back in the 80s, Television ads were growing huge in India. The small screen had reached the middle classes and advertisements with strong brand recall were all the rage. In those days, everyone watched everything that came on the Idiot Box with fascination…even programmes meant for farmers (Krishi Darshan) were seen with eyes glued to the screen. TV ads too were watched repeatedly and mimicked at homes. We kids took pride in learning the ad jingles and taglines by heart. Who can forget the jingles of Washing Powder Nirma, Parle G, Gagan and Humara Bajaj!
As we grew, so did the ads in the 90s. In no time, the commercials turned more stylish, polished and classy. Guy models began to wear leather jackets, jazzy belts and denims while girl models embraced designer clothes and chic hairstyles. Bikes, accessories, cars, music and a westernised lifestyle got promoted in the ads to engage the youngsters.
The 90s boasted some of the best commercials of all times. Can you ever forget ads made for Onida, Maggi, Rasna, Fevicol, Vicco, Breeze, Lux, Dove, Dhara oil, Mango Bite or Amul chocolate?
Often, I watch those ads on YouTube to relive the past. Here are 5 of my favourite and sweetest advertisement of those bygone wonder years. Hope you enjoy reading about them too.
The Pepsi ad – Ahaa! Who can forget the gorgeous Aishwarya Rai mouthing – “Hi! I am Sanjana. Got a Lehar Pepsi” and the stumped expression of a smitten Aamir Khan. I used to stare at Aishwarya and think – Can such beauty exist?
The Cadbury ad – Awww.. The innocent beauty breaks into a loveable jig when her boyfriend hits a six. The shy cricketer is embarrassed as well as on top of the Earth. Her dance with abandon is the high point of this great advertisement. We never missed watching it!
The Dreamflower ad – He looks like a thorough professional until he catches a whiff of her. He leaves his conversation mid-way and bolts to catch one glimpse of the fragrant beauty. He tries lifts and doors but she seems to have disappeared. But one knock at his cabin brightens things for him as she happens to have come looking for him. So very romantic!
Palmolive winter care ad – The close shots of a beautiful girl in an aeroplane is shown and we hear a man’s thoughts – “The lovely girl is in the plane… the seat next to me is empty. Am I fortunate enough to get the pleasure of her company. She looked at me for a while and then moved on. She is so beautiful but has no make up on.” In the next shot, the girl comes closer and tells him – “I think you are in my seat” . The guy is not shown in this commercial but his voice makes the girl mysterious and alluring. We loved it!
Dhara Cooking oil ad – The word ‘Jalebi’ always reminds me of this ad. A cute little boy runs away from home after being scolded. He sits at a railway station waiting for the train when an old uncle comes near him and says, “I just came to tell you that your mother has made jalebis at home.”.. And the kid says ”JALEBI?” with a twinkle in his eyes and happily returns home. The little boy had done a wonderful job in the ad and it remains one of the most popular ads of all times.
Commercials like these were an intrinsic part of our lives. I wonder where those days have gone. Time flies… but thankfully, today we have technology to capture those wonderful glimpses of the past.
Images courtesy Google
I sometimes like to watch awesome commercials on YouTube. There is one from Jaguar with Tom Hiddleston. Have you ever seen it?
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Thanks a lot Sabiscuit for the visit… No, I have not seen the Jaguar ad.. I will watch it for sure😀
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I embedded the actual video in my comment, above, in case your readers wanted to look at it too. Your post was very entertaining. Thank you for sharing your list.
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So kind of you Sabiscuit. Big thank you! Stay blessed😀
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Loved the sleek, stylish and eloquent ‘art of villainy’ … You were right! Powerful and gripping ad😀
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Glad you also found it entertaining. x
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This is beautiful specially the Pepsi Ad.., i too had the same feel….
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Thanks a lot Pinky for reading. Yes, it was a lovely ad.
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I enjoyed reading about the ads in your country. It helped remind me of old ads in my country. The first one that came to mind is the old Alkaseltzer commercial,”Plop, plop, fizz, fizz, oh what a relief it is!” LOL! And the Mr. Clean commercial. I think he was the icon for “Spic and Span.” Thanks for the memories!
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Thank you PJ for sharing the ads and the jingles. I have heard about Mr Clean… And I will look for the ad now that you have told me. Thank you for visiting and commenting. Stay blessed😀
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Thank you Shavangi! You too!
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One more memorable ad is Liril!!! who can forget that waterfall and the jingle of Liril!! and cadbury always comes with best ads with every passins decade!!
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True Ranjani.. I used to like Preity Zinta as the Liril Girl. Thank you for adding on😀
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The Cadbury ad yes..was good. I have a similar post on my blog too..do check it out
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Hey… Sure I will. Thank you for coming over😀
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True !
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Thank you😀
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😊
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Nice write up on the TV commercials Shivangi!
It made me remember those wonder days.
Actually I was to put this comment on the day I came here.
I shall now go to your other posts.
Shiva
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Thank you Shiva for reading and remarking so well… Thanks a lot. Have a great Sunday😀
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Cute 🙂 It’s nostalgic. You described the ads so wonderfully that I felt I was watching them again!
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Did you… ? Thank you for motivating me Jahanvi😀
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