Hansal Mehta has reacted strongly to a newly launched commercial of fantasy sports platform Dream 11, which features Indian cricketer Rishabh Pant. The ad has gone viral on social media as it featured music artists and actors and netizens are giving mixed reactions to it. As soon as the video clip caught the attention of the Scam 1992 director, he took to Twitter to slam it. Not only this. Mehta asked Dream 11 to pull it down immediately as it ‘makes a mockery of art’.
Rishabh Pant’s new ad features him as a music artist
In the latest Dream 11 ad, Rishabh Pant was seen dressed in a kurta pajama with a shawl draped over his shoulders. He wore a wig and also had a slight stubble. Dressed as a performer, Rishabh entered the stage with folded hands. A group of musicians were seated around him. Three mics were placed in front of Rishabh and instead of sitting down, he crouched behind the wicket like a wicketkeeper. As the music started playing, he made gestures with his hands and then he jumped to one side as if to catch a ball. The video has gone viral on social media and many are criticizing it for making a ‘mockery’ of the artists.
Hansal Mehta criticizes Dream 11 advertisement
The Dream 11 ad seemed to recreate the Indian classical music scene and present it in a comical light. This has not gone down well with a section of social media users and artistes. Hansal Mehta posted the ad on his Twitter handle and wrote, “This is a disgusting and defamatory ad. Pimp yourself but not at the cost of the ridiculous art and its rich traditions. I demand that @Dream11 pull it down.” ” In his Instagram stories, Mehta wrote, “Disgusting, distasteful and derogatory ad. Shame @Dream11 and @RishabhPant (sic).”
Reacting to Mehta’s post about the Dream 11 ad, a netizen wrote, “I don’t see how this is funny art? It’s just saying he would be bad at it,” the director responded by writing to him , “Everything about it ridicules Hindustani classical music. The stereotypical musicians, their costumes and the audience’s applause are mocked. I found it offensive and distasteful. The script, the execution are in terrible taste. I usually satire enjoy but it’s not satire (sic).”
Here’s how some social media users reacted to the Dream 11 ad featuring Rishabh Pant.