ICYMI, Here Are the 5 Best Indian Ads of 2017 So Far

2017 recap: The best ads on Indian television this year so far.

Vicks’ #TouchOfCare campaign is based on the true story of Gauri Sawant and her daughter Gayatri. (Photo Courtesy: YouTube Screengrab)

Every so often, an ad comes along that warms the cockles of our cold, desensitised hearts. This year, Indian ad agencies have tried to break the mould and focus on the lives of people who are often forgotten by the mainstream.

Watch some of the 2017’s best Indian ads here:

1) 'Touch of Care'

Vicks won hearts with their beautiful ad about a transgender mother and her adopted daughter. The ad, tagged under Proctor & Gamble's #TouchOfCare campaign, is based on the true story of Gauri Sawant and her daughter Gayatri.

The three-and-a-half-minute-long spot, by Publicis Singapore, vent viral as soon as it was unveiled on YouTube on 31 March.

Watch:

Read more about the ad on The Quint.

2) 'Forgotten'

Brooke Bond Red Label's February ad, under the Swaad Apnepan Ka and T for Togetherness campaign, follows the tone of the slew of ads from the tea giant that focus on social issues, including transgender rights and religious conflict.

The 93-second spot, about a woman who suffers from Alzheimer's disease, captures the loneliness that a number of elderly members of society are forced to live with.

The ad, by Ogilvy and Mather (Mumbai), touches all the right notes.

Watch:

3) ‘Make The Most of Now’

Vodafone struck gold when they roped in Padma Bhushan-winning Bharatnatyam dancers VP Dhanajayan and Shanta Dhanajayan for their SuperNet 4G campaign by Ogilvy.

The veteran couple, who are both in their 70’s, starred in a series of ads chronicling a couple's trip to Goa. Watch all of the ads here:

"It has been fantastic. We have been getting calls and emails from all over the world. People are saying we are looking cute and natural – like we normally are," the couple told Afaqs.com.

It's easy to see why the adorable couple has won over the internet. But don't let their sweet onscreen selves fool you – the duo is a force to be reckoned with in the world of classical dance. Watch them perform here:

4) ReleaseThePressure

Mirinda tried its hand at something different when it released a short film, on the effect of exam pressure on teenagers. The short film, that Pepsico calls a 'dramatised version of actual letters sent to parents from their teens', hit YouTube on 15 February, weeks away from the dreaded board exams.

The BBDO India film, directed by Shoojit Sircar, has over 2 crore views at the time of writing.

Your marks do not define you. Read more on The Quint about dealing with exam stress.

5) 'Wherever You Are'

Samsung's ad, with the tagline 'We'll reach you wherever you are', was released on 30 December 2016. However the ad went almost unnoticed until the New Year festivities died down.

This ad, from the kitty of Cheil India, is four-minutes long, but you will find it hard to look away.

The ad marked the end of Samsung's tumultuous 2016, with the Galaxy Note 7 fiasco permanently denting the tech giant's reputation.

PS: If you can't stop humming Mohit Chauhan's 'Beh Chala' (like me), then find an unofficial edited version here.

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