Blending Cricket, Cinema, and Clever Promotions
Nobody ever imagined former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly dressed as a cop, wielding a lathi, and thrashing a criminal in true Bollywood style. But Netflix India made it happen in an ad promoting its upcoming original series, Khakee: The Bengal Chapter, a crime thriller following Khakee: The Bihar Chapter, which debuted in 2022.
A standout moment in the ad features a Greg Chappell-like character facing an intense roar from Ganguly, referencing their infamous history. Adding to the humor, the ad cleverly plays with the then-shirt sponsor’s tagline, “Sahara to Bahara” (read as “bahar aa”), making it a witty wordplay.
This isn’t Ganguly’s first Netflix appearance. He was previously featured in the video streamer’s Ind vs Pak docu-series ahead of the Champions Trophy, which India won. His recurring presence in Netflix promotions highlights his cultural significance beyond cricket.
Netflix has a reputation for quirky and engaging marketing stunts. Another notable instance featured Shah Rukh Khan appearing furious at a director over a scene, only to reveal that his son, Aryan Khan, was the one directing. This playful twist was part of the promotional campaign for Aryan’s upcoming show.
By blending cricket, Bollywood, and pop culture with unexpected humor, Netflix continues to turn its advertisements into entertaining content, making promotions just as exciting as the shows themselves.
