/socialsamosa/media/post_banners/GuUTLhH86gZvnmbFLGSO.jpg)
With a Father's Day campaign brief in hand, Star Sports churned out the Mauka Mauka ad to suit the day with fans calling out the broadcaster's execution of the idea. Read to know more...
After defeating the Aussies in yesterday’s match, the Indian Cricket Team is all set to face the New Zealanders in their next on Thursday. But what fans are most excited about is to watch the first of the season’s face-off between India and Pakistan on Sunday, June 16, which also happens to be the Father’s Day.
Star Sports, the official broadcaster of ICC World Cup 2019, took it as an opportunity to give a Father’s Day twist to their ‘Mauka Mauka’ and #CricketKaCrown campaign. The advertisement rolled out on June 9 shows the protagonist metaphorically announcing India as ‘Baap’ of Pakistan while the neighboring country players convince themselves to put up a strong show by trying and not giving up.
This #FathersDay, watch an ICC #CWC19 match jo dekh ke bas bol sakte hain, “baap re baap!” 😉
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) June 9, 2019
Catch #INDvPAK in the race for the #CricketKaCrown, LIVE on June 16th, only on Star Sports! pic.twitter.com/Apo3R8QrbO
At least, that’s what fans assumed the broadcaster tried to say through ‘Crown Cricket ka Madamji Hum Le Jayenge’- and that India is confident enough to win the biggest cricket battle this year.
While the narrative and tongue in cheek approach of Star Sports did manage to bring a smile on the viewer’s face, it somehow lacked grace and sportsmanship. Cricket is touted to be a gentlemen’s game and is known for the players to have the utmost respect to each other’s determination to win for their country. Though there is nowhere mentioned that ‘India is Pakistan’s Father’ in the game, the commercial does appear to be an indirect mockery of the competition for their dismal record against India in ICC world cup tenure by not winning a single match against the Men in Blue.
The advertisement did hurt a few sentiments across the border, but this time Indians too reacted negatively and asked Star Sports to show some sportsmanship.
Sorry but this ad is in bad taste. Take sport as a sport only... Why stooping to such low level of thinking!!
— Nishit Joshi (@nijoshi) June 9, 2019
Star Sports this is not expected from you! It’s just a game and regardless of your campaign, people are still going to watch #INDvsPAK. Why stoop so low just for TRP’s?
— Gunjan Mehta✨ (@gunjanm_) June 10, 2019
Also Read: #CWCSpot: Star Sports rolls out #CricketKaCrown as with ICC World Cup just around the corner
Communications consultant Karthik Srinivasan has also tweeted his two bits on the campaign while experts dug deeper into the concoction for Father’s Day brief and the Mauka Mauka Campaign by Star Sports and what went wrong.
This new ad by Star Sports that extends the famous 'Mauka Mauka' theme and connects it to Father's Day did make me laugh at its cheekiness, but I immediately felt guilty for laughing. I didn't know why and upon some more thought, I thought that it perhaps lacked grace. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/bWV0tQrKan
— Karthik 🇮🇳 (@beastoftraal) June 10, 2019
2/2 The same grace that the new Ford Endeavour ad was teaching us - when you are bigger and better, you need to act like that! Of course, the joke here is based on historical fact, but it simply sounds like a garden-variety meme on social media when you think about it.
— Karthik 🇮🇳 (@beastoftraal) June 10, 2019
So aptly put. We don't have to rub their noses in it...we maybe in a minority here but this was crass.
— Some bits (@thefullmohanty) June 10, 2019
Have to confess did not get it. Yes saw once 😱
— tista sen آپ سین (@tistathinks) June 10, 2019
For a highly reputed brand like Star Sports, it seems to be the least expected to get embroiled in a debate of this nature. Even a strong narrative evoking mild distaste can get backfired, especially when you are under the social media spotlight. It doesn't go unnoticed.
Lets all root for Team India throughout but also graciously acknowledge an equally passioned and determined competitive teams.