MAM
This Diwali ‘it’s all about loving one’s family’: Brands celebrate the joy of homecoming
MUMBAI: It’s that time of the year when advertisers spend the major portion of their annual ad spends in going all out to woo the Indian consumer. With the Festival of Lights upon us, marketers and brands are doing everything they can to unlock the year’s biggest festive blitzkrieg by ensuring their campaign stands out this Diwali.
With families separated by the pandemic for long, it’s time to come home, sit together, and catch up. After all, festivals are all about celebrating togetherness, and what better way to celebrate than to be home with one’s loved ones? With this understanding, brands across categories have released ad films centred around family reunions and bonding sessions. After all, ‘it’s all about loving one’s parents/ family’.
Backed by a heart-warming narrative, Vivo released a Diwali special digital film communicating the “Joy of Homecoming”. Starring actor Kanwaljit Singh, the ad film conceptualised by Dentsu Impact encapsulates the role of the smartphone in rekindling the joy of connection.
Another ad from Anand Sweets also highlights the simple joys of attending the rituals and traditions with family members. The ad takes a nostalgic trip down memory lane showcasing the fun activities that defined festivity during one’s childhood. The script drafted by Norm creative strategic agency brings out the emotions, love, and lore of Diwali.
With their new Diwali campaign video ‘Kissa Kaaju Katli Ka’, online poker platform, PokerBaazi gave a sweet twist to enjoying a game with family, where members apply their Poker skills to understand and read their opponent while trying to win a pot of sweets.
In a message which would resonate with today’s generation, telecom operator Vodafone Idea’s Diwali campaign #LookUp says mere physical presence is not enough if one is not mindfully present in the moment. Vi has launched a digital video highlighting the importance of virtual platforms, yet encouraging real conversations during special occasions. The campaign throws light on how one can miss out on the special times despite being there and gives out a call: ‘it’s time to shut our screens’ and truly be there to celebrate with our loved ones.
Taking a dig at all the other so-called ‘cliched’ Diwali ads, tech brand DIZO realme’s released a new ad – “Not-So-Clichéd Diwali Ad”. The ad executed by White Rivers Media is a light-hearted take on the most commonly used format of storytelling in Diwali campaigns while going on to do just that even as it cleverly integrates the tech brand’s product into the narrative.
Taking a step further is surfacing solutions brand, Greenlam Industries which has rolled out a digital campaign that humorously underlines the importance of taking time out to ‘celebrate at home and celebrate home’, this Diwali. The short film conceptualised by Mirum India showcases an American boss delegating work to his team in India over a video call on Diwali while stressing that the timeline is crucial and needs to go out immediately. The team manages to get out of the sticky situation by pulling a fast one over the boss unitedly. Watch how they do it:
Brands
Hyundai and TVS Motor partner to develop electric three wheelers
Joint development pact targets last mile mobility with localisation push
MUMBAI: Three wheels, one big ambition and a charge towards the future. Hyundai Motor Company and TVS Motor Company have signed a joint development agreement to co-create electric three-wheelers (E3Ws), aiming to crack India’s complex last-mile mobility puzzle. The collaboration moves beyond concept talk into execution mode, building on the E3W prototype first showcased at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025. The goal now is clear, design, develop and commercialise a purpose-built vehicle tailored to Indian roads, riders and realities.
Under the agreement, Hyundai will lead design and co-development, bringing its global R&D muscle and human-centric engineering approach to the table. TVS Motor, meanwhile, will anchor the product on its electric platform, leveraging deep three-wheeler expertise and local market insight. It will also handle manufacturing and sales in India, with an eye on exports down the line.
The timing is strategic. India remains the world’s largest three-wheeler market, where affordability, durability and adaptability often outweigh sheer innovation. The upcoming E3W aims to strike that balance combining advanced technology with practical features such as adaptive ground clearance for monsoon-hit roads, improved thermal management for tropical climates, and flexible interiors suited for passengers, cargo or emergency use.
A key pillar of the partnership is localisation. Major components will be sourced and manufactured within India, a move expected to strengthen the domestic supply chain, create jobs, lower costs and improve after-sales support.
The shift from prototype to production will involve rigorous testing, certification and refinement to meet regulatory standards and consumer expectations. Dedicated cross-functional teams from both companies are already in place to accelerate timelines.
At a broader level, the tie-up reflects a growing trend in mobility, global players partnering with local specialists to navigate emerging markets. For Hyundai and TVS, the bet is that combining scale with street-level insight could unlock a new chapter in sustainable urban transport, one that runs not just on electricity, but on relevance.
