Brands
Balaji’s ‘Half Girlfriend’ high on brand associations
MUMBAI: Chetan Bhagat’s novel cinematic adaptation of ‘Half Girlfriend’, directed by Mohit Suri, is all set to hit the big screens this Friday.
The film has attracted some of the biggest brands to associate with them from all around the world. Each brand has found a connect with the film, something they can associate with, and in turn brought their own uniqueness to the table adding further value to the film and the brand itself. Right from the juncture of pre-production, the marketing force of Balaji Motion Pictures have very well identified the potential brands that carry forward the theme of the film that have lead to these associations.
One of their integral brand associations also include the National Basketball Association (NBA), which is the major professional basketball league in North America, and is widely considered to be the premier men’s professional basketball league in the world. Special coaches were flown down from US to train the actors in their basketball skills. Some other brand associations include Close Up, HeroCorp, Make My Trip, Facebook, UC News, Uber and PVR to name a few.
“‘Half Girlfriend’ follows the journey of the protagonists from Delhi to India’s heartland and finally culminates in New York. There are different brand stories that unfold organically and each one co-exists beautifully. The film manages to cut across demographics seamlessly which is why the associations are a balance between ‘the aspirational’ and ‘the relatable’. For some key brands this is their first cinematic outing and we’re thrilled that they chose to integrate with Half Girlfriend”, says Ruchika Kapoor, Executive Vice President, Balaji Motion Pictures Ltd.
The brands have either been woven into the film’s script, or facilitated the shoot or are currently carrying campaigns on-air and on-ground to promote the film.
Produced by Balaji Motion Pictures, Mohit Suri and Chetan Bhagat, ‘Half Girlfriend’ is a cinematic adaptation of Chetan Bhagat’s novel of the same name. Directed by Mohit Suri, the film is slated to release on 19 May, 2017.
Brands
Myntra revives ‘Fashion ki Adalat’ to put social judgments on trial for International Women’s Day
Courtroom satire stars Lisa Ray and Archana Puran Singh
NATIONAL: Ahead of International Women’s Day, fashion e-commerce platform Myntra has revived its social campaign Fashion ki Adalat, expanding the idea of societal judgment beyond clothing choices.
The latest instalment of the campaign features actor and model Lisa Ray in a satirical courtroom drama that puts everyday scrutiny of women’s choices on trial. Veteran actor Archana Puran Singh reprises her role as the presiding judge, delivering the verdict in a humorous yet pointed narrative.
Set inside a stylised courtroom, the campaign frames the case as “Society vs Her Choices,” turning familiar criticisms into formal accusations. Through humour and satire, the film examines how women’s decisions, ranging from fashion and career to marriage and identity, are frequently judged across different stages of life.
The narrative traces three phases of Lisa Ray’s life. At 18, her independence is framed as defiance. Later, after marriage, her decision not to change her surname is questioned. In midlife, her ambition and bold self-expression are again scrutinised. Each moment is met with sharp retorts that challenge social expectations and reinforce the campaign’s central message: personal expression should not be subject to public approval.
With Fashion ki Adalat 2.0, Myntra is attempting to broaden last year’s conversation from defending individual fashion choices to questioning the impulse to judge them altogether.
“Self-expression is often met with unsolicited scrutiny,” said Myntra head of social media marketing and creator ecosystem Monalisa Panda. “Through this campaign we wanted to spotlight that reality and celebrate individuality across life stages.”
Created and produced by Ideaz Farm, the film was directed by Yash Danak, with creative direction by Katya Mohan and Rishi P Ekta Taak and Prasanna Shetty served as producers, while P Kalyani Sunil handled cinematography.
The campaign forms part of Myntra’s wider push to position fashion and beauty as tools of personal identity and self-expression for younger consumers across India.
