Kapil Dev in new ‘kidnapping’ video for Hotstar makes you ask how far is too far for marketing

The recent viral video featuring former Indian cricketer Kapil Dev seemingly kidnapped has ignited a debate about its authenticity, leaving fans wondering if it was a real incident or merely a staged act for social media.

The mystery surrounding the video was finally unraveled with the release of a new advertisement, in which Kapil Dev collaborates with Disney Plus Hotstar to promote the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup.

Fans, who affectionately refer to Kapil Dev as "Paaji," expressed their disappointment, questioning why a revered figure like him would participate in such an elaborate marketing campaign.

However, it's worth noting that this is not the first time we've witnessed such extravagant marketing campaigns. Let's delve deeper into the realm of Indian celebrities who have pushed the boundaries of marketing.

The video that went viral 

• On September 25, former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir shared a video on his Twitter account, depicting the apparent kidnapping of Kapil Dev. Gambhir captioned the video with uncertainty, asking, "Anyone else received this clip, too? Hope it's not actually @therealkapildev and that Kapil Paaji is fine!"

• The video sparked confusion among fans, with divided opinions on its authenticity.

• Some believed it was a ploy to grab public attention as part of a marketing campaign, while others expressed genuine concern for Kapil Dev's well-being.

• Kapil Dev holds a legendary status in India, having captained the team to its first-ever Cricket World Cup victory in 1983.

• The confusion was finally dispelled with the release of a new Disney Plus Hotstar advertisement on September 26.

•  The advertisement promoted the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, which can be streamed for free on Disney Plus Hotstar.

Many people expressed disappointment, feeling that such marketing tactics were stretching the limits in their quest for attention.

Now, let's revisit some of the notable extreme marketing campaigns by Indian celebrities:

Kajol: The Trial

Indian actress Kajol made headlines on June 9 when she deleted all her Instagram posts and posted a message stating, "Facing one of the toughest trials of my life" along with the caption "Taking a break from social media."

Fans expressed concern and support, believing she was going through a challenging time.

However, all her posts were eventually restored, revealing that her initial post was a marketing strategy for her new show, 'The Trial,' which led to substantial backlash on social media.

Mallika Sherawat's Cannes Stunt

Actress Mallika Sherawat garnered attention at the Cannes Film Festival when she appeared on the red carpet with a snake to promote her film "Hisss."

Vidya Balan disguise

For her movie 'Bobby Jasoos,' Indian actress Vidya Balan dressed up as a beggar outside the Hyderabad train station.

Her various disguises in the movie generated significant pre-release buzz.

Anushka Sharma's Gimmick with Puma

On December 29, 2022, the renowned sportswear brand Puma posted pictures of Indian actress Anushka Sharma on their official Instagram page.

Anushka later took to her own social media to call out Puma for using her pictures without permission.

However, when she eventually shared a post from her Puma campaign, it became evident that it was a publicity stunt to attract attention.

Shah Rukh Khan's train ride for Raees

Popular Indian actor Shah Rukh Khan traveled by train from Mumbai to Delhi to promote his film "Raees."

Such marketing strategies have become commonplace to the point that people often approach them with initial suspicion, questioning their authenticity.

These instances illustrate the growing trend of celebrities using extreme marketing tactics to capture the public's imagination and generate buzz around their projects.