Vicks Ki Goli Lo: ’80s Ads and Jingles That We Never Forgot

TV ads in the 80s & 90s were innocent, fun to watch and had hum-worthy jingles. The Liril ad is back. Why not these?

Can we recognise Shahid Kapoor here? And of course Preity Zinta when she was bubbling with energy? Who is the devil in the middle? (This photo has been altered by The Quint)

Liril said goodbye to the market in 2009 and with it went its memorable ‘waterfall’ ads. Six years later, the ‘La…lalala….la…’ tune of the Liril ad is back.

It prompted us to dig into the archives and pull out a few other ads that used to pepper our screens in the good old Doordarshan days.

But first, watch a compilation of all the Liril ads. Look out for Preity Zinta and Hrishita Bhatt.

‘I’m a Complan Boy’

Shahid Kapoor is married now, so is Ayesha Takia. But we first saw them in the Complan ad when they were kids, with a much slimmer Smita Jaykar as mum.

‘Jab Main Chota Ladka Tha’

Childhood was lent juice with this Bajaj bulb ad - our innocent ‘badmaashis’ at every age were ‘caught’ when this bulb was turned on. The catchy lyrics and the tune still so easy to recall.

Pan Parag For Baaratis

Two Bollywood veterans Shammi Kapoor and Ashok Kumar came together in this ad. They were actually rarely seen together in films.

Gale Mein Khich Khich...

‘Vicks ki goli lo, khichkhich door karo’ – oh yes, you are singing along! Even today when we have sore throat, this song resonates. 

The Devil Onida

Hard to imagine a devil selling us a television set. But Onida broke all sales mantras with the phrase - Neighbour’s envy, Owner’s pride. The devil, more than the tv, complete with horns and tail, was the show stealer.

Hi, I’m Your New Neighbour

Much before Aamir Khan and Aishwariya Rai became superstars, or Mahima Chaudhury went into oblivion, this Lehar Pepsi ad featured all three.

So who is Sanjana? (Photo: YouTube/Ashish Chamaria)

There was a sexy Ash, and the suspense of Sanju/Sanjana. Watch till the end.

Had Your Papad Today?

Bunnies, a funny voice, and papads! Strange combination, and yet we liked the Lijjat Papad ad.

‘Sabki Pasand Nirma....’

‘Hema, Rekha, Jaya aur Sushma...’ – these names will always be spoken together, thanks to the Nirma ad.