logo
Is ‘Saiyaara' riding on a PR wave? viral videos spark debate over hype vs. reality

Is ‘Saiyaara' riding on a PR wave? viral videos spark debate over hype vs. reality

Ahaan Panday's debut film Saiyaara may be making waves at the box office, but its emotional fanfare is now under the scanner, with many questioning whether the film's overwhelming response is organic or part of an elaborate PR strategy.
Clips of theatre-goers crying, cheering, and even watching the film with IV drips have flooded social media since its release. The latest viral video shows a young woman sobbing inconsolably after watching the film — prompting netizens to raise eyebrows over the authenticity of such reactions.
A Reddit user's post asking whether the footage was 'genuine or paid PR' triggered a broader online discussion. 'It's real, but the trend started by PR, I guess,' one commenter speculated, while others were more direct, calling it a clear 'PR game.' Some even suggested that free tickets may have been distributed in exchange for emotional footage.
Despite this speculation, Saiyaara's total collection is 190.25 crores at the box office according to Sacnilk. A remarkable feat, especially considering it followed a near-silent promotional approach. With no media interactions, influencer tie-ins, or press junkets, the film's team, led by director Mohit Suri and backed by YRF, chose to let the film 'speak for itself.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Bart Air ‘flight attendants' hand out snacks in hilarious viral prank video
Bart Air ‘flight attendants' hand out snacks in hilarious viral prank video

Hindustan Times

time28 minutes ago

  • Hindustan Times

Bart Air ‘flight attendants' hand out snacks in hilarious viral prank video

Riders on a Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) train over the weekend got an unexpected treat - literally. A group dressed like airline cabin crew rolled a makeshift snack cart down the aisle of a Red Line car, handing out pretzels, hand wipes, and what looked like drinks. According to SF Gate, the videos blew up on TikTok and Reddit, drawing thousands of likes, reposts, and praise. Nobody knows exactly who pulled off the stunt, but it clearly looked planned. A group dressed like airline cabin crew rolled a snack cart in the red car of a Bay Area Rapid Transit.(Representative Image/Unsplash) One of the videos, now sitting at over 86,000 likes, shows a woman in a navy blue flight attendant-style outfit pushing a cart labeled 'Flight Attendants in Training.' She hands out snacks using silver tongs, while a soothing British voiceover plays in the background, spoofing an airline ad. Also read: 'Right hand mein phone mat pakdo, GST lagta hai': Man's hilarious prank over fake tax rules goes viral 'Thank you for flying Bart Air' In another clip, shared on Reddit, a man in an ascot serves treats while another team member - red hair, big grin, and a mic in hand - delivers announcements over a small speaker. 'Thank you for cooperating with our wonderful flight attendants team,' the man says, before introducing the snack server as 'a 10-year veteran of the force' and the woman as 'dishonorably discharged from United Airlines,' SF Gate reports. The attention to detail had some riders doing double takes. And for viewers online, it was the kind of chaos that makes perfect sense in the age of prank culture. Commenters could not get enough. One TikTok user wrote, 'I love weird people who are just trying to make other people smile.' Another simply said, 'May the snack distribution service find us all.' Also read: Who is Heston James? TikTok influencer arrested for viral pranks disrupting businesses BART officials loved the joke While the prank clearly violated BART's no-food-or-drinks policy, officials were not mad over it. In fact, they were all for it. 'We think this is clever, fun and engaging. We love it. Videos like this showcase our clean and safe system and that riding BART is fun,' Alicia Trost, a BART spokesperson told SF Gate. FAQs Is eating allowed on BART trains? No, eating and drinking are prohibited on BART trains. Who pulled off the BART Air prank? People behind the prank remain unidentified as of now. Did BART respond to the prank? Yes, BART officials praised the prank as clever and fun. Was anyone fined or stopped? No disciplinary action was reported.

Anupam Kher reflects on Tanvi The Great's struggles at book launch: ‘What I achieved, no one could in a thousand years'
Anupam Kher reflects on Tanvi The Great's struggles at book launch: ‘What I achieved, no one could in a thousand years'

Time of India

timean hour ago

  • Time of India

Anupam Kher reflects on Tanvi The Great's struggles at book launch: ‘What I achieved, no one could in a thousand years'

Anupam Kher , who recently returned to directing after 23 years with Tanvi The Great, is making a comeback, this time as an author. Different But No Less, Anupam's fourth book, launched in Mumbai on Wednesday. The book follows the creation of Tanvi the Great, a movie that was almost never made. From early rejections to casting stories, the book records the project's challenges and illuminates the motivation behind Anupam's decision to base his comeback on the tale of an autistic girl. Anupam stated, "I wrote this film because I needed strength more than money to write it and then make it. That's how this book came out, and it's the strongest thing I have done in my life.' A star-studded assembly of friends, coworkers, and collaborators attended the launch event. Filmmaker and longtime mentor Mahesh Bhatt , actor Boman Irani , who also served as the event's host, Gajraj Rao, Anang Desai, and director Pankuj Parashar, with whom Anupam collaborated on Chaalbaaz, were among those in presence. Mahesh Bhatt gave an emotional analysis of Anupam's journey. 'One of the greatest strengths of this kid—I call him a kid because when I met him he was 28, although I was only 34, but still—is his vulnerability,' Bhatt remarked. 'I don't know any other attribute apart from vulnerability when it comes to him. And a person who cannot be vulnerable cannot be courageous. I'm proud that a journey we began all those years back has landed us in this moment. I can wholeheartedly claim, proudly, that I have contributed somewhere in his journey, and I think his flight has just begun.' The movie, however, encountered challenges at the box office and clashed with Saiyaara, a musical directed by Mohit Suri . While discussing the movie's performance, Boman questioned Anupam about his thoughts on the disappointing box office arrival. 'To everyone present here, if I had to ask you what your top three films of all time are, I'm sure nobody would even remember the box office business they did when they released," he said unquestionably, as he always does. "What I have achieved with this film, no other person could achieve in a hundred thousand years. ' With typical wit, Boman joked that none of the actors, including himself, received compensation for their work on Tanvi the Great because they were only carrying out Anupam's vision, which was in turn carrying out his heart.

Dunkin's new ad with The Summer I Turned Pretty star Gavin Casalegno slammed for tone-deaf genetics reference
Dunkin's new ad with The Summer I Turned Pretty star Gavin Casalegno slammed for tone-deaf genetics reference

Time of India

time2 hours ago

  • Time of India

Dunkin's new ad with The Summer I Turned Pretty star Gavin Casalegno slammed for tone-deaf genetics reference

Dunkin's newest commercial is under fire for referencing genetics in a way many viewers find insensitive, especially after the recent controversy surrounding American Eagle's campaign with Sydney Sweeney. The ad features The Summer I Turned Pretty actor Gavin Casalegno promoting Dunkin's Golden Hour Refresher, with the brand playing off his bronzed skin tone and the term 'golden.' The timing has not gone unnoticed. Just days prior, American Eagle's 'Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans' campaign drew criticism for its messaging around Sweeney's physical traits. The campaign was slammed for echoing themes associated with eugenics, with Sweeney talking about how genes 'determine traits like hair colour, personality, and even eye colour.' That backlash is now spilling over into Dunkin's corner. A subtle nod to genetics or a deeper problem? While Dunkin's reference to genetics is not as overt, viewers were quick to point out the uncomfortable similarities. In the ad, Casalegno quips, 'This tan? Genetics. I just got my colour analysis back, and guess what? Golden summer.' Though the statement is framed around the beauty trend of color analysis, critics say it continues the trend of glorifying white beauty standards through coded language. The mention of genetics in conjunction with Casalegno's sun-kissed appearance has sparked concern for reinforcing Eurocentric ideals, particularly when paired with marketing language that highlights physical traits. Some viewers noted that the issue may not lie solely in the words used, but in their context and delivery amid ongoing racial tensions in America. Reddit users criticise ad's tone, timing, and messaging Discussion of the Dunkin' ad quickly spread to Reddit, particularly the celebrity-focused subreddit r/Fauxmoi. One user summed up the collective frustration by asking, 'Do marketing teams not employ anyone ocolouror because what the hell is going on?' They continued, 'It's really wild to see them advertise their products like this, especially in a country where they are literally rounding up people into detention centres.' Other users critiqued the ad from a creative standpoint, calling it 'too wordy' and accusing it of failing to make a compelling link between Casalegno's tan and the Golden Hour Refresher. One commenter questioned the casting choice altogether, writing, 'Isn't Gavin a huge right-winger?' Another user remarked, 'So this summer eugenics seems to be in. These brands gotta be adding racist dog whistles on purpose.' 'As someone who's never been to Dunkin nor knows who this fella is, it's truly a horrible ad,' one user wrote. 'I've no clue what the drink actually tastes like, the name evokes ideas of piss more so than any fruit, and I've no interest in this rando announcing himself as the king of summer," asked one user. Marketing missteps raise questions for brands The backlash against Dunkin' appears to stem from a combination of poor timing, tone-deaf messaging, and an industry-wide trend of using genetics-based language to sell products. While brands may be aiming for clever or aesthetic appeal, viewers are increasingly scrutinising the language used to describe physical traits—especially when those traits align with long-standing beauty ideals tied to whiteness. With American Eagle already under fire, Dunkin's decision to echo similar messaging has only amplified the criticism. Whether intentional or simply tone-deaf, the ad's reception may push more brands to rethink how they approach topics of identity, appearance, and race in their campaigns. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store