Web Desk
In a major PR misstep, Flipkart was forced to take down an advertisement for its Big Billion Days sale that many users found offensive. The ad, which portrayed husbands as “aalsi” (lazy) and “bewakoof” (foolish), sparked widespread backlash on social media, leading to a flood of complaints accusing the e-commerce giant of promoting gender stereotypes.
The controversy began after the ad was shared widely during Flipkart’s annual Big Billion Days sale. The ad targeted men in a humorous light but quickly backfired, with both men and women calling it sexist and derogatory. The portrayal of husbands as inept and incapable of helping around the house touched a nerve, especially in a country where gender roles and household responsibilities are hotly debated.
In response, Flipkart issued a statement apologizing for the advertisement and clarified that it was never their intention to hurt sentiments. They swiftly removed the ad and promised a review of their creative processes to avoid such incidents in the future. However, the incident has sparked a broader conversation about how brands use humor and the thin line between being funny and being offensive.
