MAM
In a role reversal, Kapil Dev does a Ranveer Singh for Cred
Mumbai: Cred does it again! It has made veteran cricketer Kapil Dev do the unthinkable…strut around on a cricket pitch in costumes bordering on the outrageous, mouthing lines that would give seasoned Bollywood actors a run for their money! The credit card payment app, which is an official partner of Vivo IPL, launched its latest ad featuring the legendary cricketer in a spanking-new persona, ahead of the IPL 2021 finale.
The film showcases the 1983 World Cup captain channeling his inner Ranveer Singh, just as the Kapil Dev biopic “83,” headlined by the Bollywood star is all set to hit the theatres this Christmas.
Conceptualised and executed by Early Man Films production agency and content creator Tanmay Bhat’s AIB team, the film was shared by the latter on his social media handle with the words: “The biopic you want to see.” Bhatt even tagged the actor on his Instagram post saying, “Beating you to the biopic @ranveersingh,” even as the film takes inspiration from the actor’s personal style, known for his flamboyant persona and quirky dressing and who has never shied of wearing what most people would consider being edgy, unconventional, over-the-top costumes in public.
The creative, the latest in Cred’s IPL 2021 campaign ‘Cred: Great for the Good,’ carries forth the payment app’s recently built-up legacy of quirky ads featuring present and past celebrities in never-before-seen avatars, and follows the by-now-familiar routine of Jim Sarbh taking up the first ten seconds to extol on the app’s features. He ends it with “Now that’s as crazy as imagining Kapil Dev act as Ranveer.” Cut to Kapil Dev donning Ranveer-inspired getups and prancing around on the cricket field with swag.
The video ends with a voiceover that goes “pooch teri maushi se kya hua 83 mein” (Ask your aunt what happened in ’83) when the cricketer’s seriousness to the game is questioned. 1983, as every Indian fan worth his salt knows, was the year when the Indian cricket team led by Kapil Dev lifted the World Cup trophy.
From its earlier tongue-in-cheek ‘not everyone gets it’ series to the latest ‘great for the good,’ Cred seems to have, of late, perfected the art of breaking the internet with its creatives. The Rahul ‘Indiranagar ka Gunda’ Dravid to the unlikely boy band of Venkatesh Prasad and Javagal Srinath among others are cases in point.
The credit payment app successfully kicked off its second installment of the IPL 2021 campaign last month with its much-talked-about, viral Neeraj Chopra ad, which had the young Olympian display his acting chops.
And from the looks of it, the brand has nailed it once again! The Kapil Dev film has already garnered two lakh plus views on YouTube alone, less than 24 hours into its release.
If we think about how many times you visited a paediatrician during the year for your child’s fever, or went to the pharmacy for cough syrup, antacids, or prescription cream; how many physiotherapy appointments your spouse had throughout the year, or how many routine diabetes check-up appointments you had; most families would say that the ongoing healthcare cost to their family isn’t necessarily the sudden expense of a grown adult being admitted to the hospital, but rather the ongoing and regular expenses of running the household. Because of this, the search for the best family health insurance plans in India have evolved to include OPD covering as a significant factor in their decision making process.
As someone who has reviewed countless policies for families, I’ve seen a clear shift. Families are no longer satisfied with a plan that only activates during a hospital crisis. They want a partner for everyday wellness, and that’s what modern, comprehensive Health Plans for Family aim to be.
OPD Cover: The Game-Changer in Family Health Insurance
OPD, or Outpatient Department, cover handles expenses incurred outside of a hospital admission. This includes:
- Doctor consultation fees (General Physicians and Specialists)
- Diagnostic tests (blood work, X-rays, MRIs)
- Pharmacy bills (medicines prescribed)
- Minor procedures (dressing, injections)
Without OPD coverage, all these costs come directly from your monthly budget. A comprehensive Health Insurance with OPD Cover absorbs these shocks, transforming your policy from a seldom-used safety net into an active, year-round health management tool. For a family with children or aging parents, this isn’t a luxury; it’s a practical necessity.
Identifying the Best Family Health Insurance Plans In India with OPD
Not all OPD covers are created equal. When comparing Health Plans for Family, you must dig into the specifics. Here’s what separates the good from the truly valuable:
Integrated vs. Add-on Cover: Some of the Best Family Health Insurance Plans In India bundle OPD within the base plan (e.g., HDFC Ergo’s Optima Restore). Others offer it as a paid add-on rider. Integrated covers are often more seamless, but add-ons allow you to customize. Compare the sub-limits and overall value.
Realistic Sub-Limits: OPD coverage always has limits. Look for plans that offer a dedicated annual OPD sum insured (e.g., ₹10,000-₹25,000 per family) rather than a tiny per-consultation limit. This gives you flexibility, you can use it for a few major diagnostics instead of just small consultations.
Cashless OPD Network: The true convenience of health insurance with OPD cover is cashless access. Leading insurers have tied up with pharmacy chains, diagnostic centers, and clinic networks. You can walk in, show your card, and walk out without paying upfront. Check the insurer’s network partners in your locality.
Simplified Claims Process: For reimbursements outside the cashless network, the process should be digital and straightforward—via an app with document upload. Cumbersome OPD claim processes defeat the very purpose.
Key Players and What to Look For
Several insurers have pioneered strong family floater plans with OPD benefits. While new products emerge, plans like HDFC Ergo’s Optima Restore, ICICI Lombard’s Health Advantage Plus, and Niva Bupa’s ReAssure 2.0 have been notable for their structured OPD components. Star Health’s Family Health Optima also offers a comprehensive package.
However, the plan name is less important than its architecture. Your checklist for the Best Family Health Insurance Plans In India with OPD should verify:
Adequate In-patient Sum Insured: This is your core cover. Don’t compromise this for OPD. Start with at least ₹15-20 Lakh for a family of four.
Restoration Benefit: Crucial for families. It restores your main sum insured if exhausted, often including the OPD cover.
No Claim Bonus (NCB): Your reward for a healthy year should protect your OPD benefit too, often by increasing your overall sum insured.
Preventive Health Check-ups: A sign of a wellness-oriented insurer. Many top Health Plans for Family include free annual check-ups, complementing the OPD benefit.
Making the Smart Choice for Your Family
Choosing the right plan requires a simple audit. Tally your family’s average annual spend on doctor visits, tests, and medicines. You’ll likely find it’s a significant amount. Then, compare the premium of a comprehensive Health Insurance with OPD Cover against a basic plan plus your out-of-pocket OPD expenditure. The difference is often negligible, but the value is monumental.
For families, the Best Family Health Insurance Plans In India will be those that acknowledge the fact that the “real” journey for your family’s health occurs daily and not just during emergencies. By choosing a Family Health Insurance plan with meaningful OPD coverage, you will not only be insuring against your family getting sick, but also investing in your family’s ability to see their doctors or other healthcare providers on a more frequent basis for non-emergency issues and providing your family with a significant degree of peace of mind with regards to their financial and physical well-being. The shift away from reactive insurance to proactive insurance by families is now essential; it has become a necessity for the modern family that is living with intention.
