Arjun Kapoor is taking a humorous jab at himself in a recent advertisement, addressing the viral meme that mocks his perceived "lack of expressions". The meme, which originated from a 2017 press event for the film Half Girlfriend, features Kapoor's intense, deadpan stare. This expression, often paired with the song "Underworld Mein Jikra Yaara Ke Naam Ka," has exploded across social media, turning Kapoor's seemingly irritated glare into a relatable symbol of unimpressed reactions.
In the ad, created by Moonshot in collaboration with Tanmay Bhat for a new ice cream brand, Kapoor embraces the meme, showcasing his signature stone-faced expression in various everyday situations. These scenarios include waiting at a restaurant, receiving a gift, and even a kitchen mishap. Throughout, Kapoor maintains his trademark "resting b*tch face," as some meme users call it, poking fun at criticisms about his on-screen expressions. He even acknowledges the perception in the ad, stating that he has many emotions inside, but people don't seem to grasp them.
The commercial cleverly uses the "Jigra Yaaran Da Naam Ka" song that is commonly associated with the meme. It also incorporates a "bell sound" to further trigger the association with the original meme. The humor lies in the stark contrast between Kapoor's initial deadpan demeanor and his sudden explosion of exaggerated emotions – jumping, laughing, and dancing – after tasting the ice cream. This shift highlights the ice cream's ability to unlock his hidden expressiveness.
The advertisement has garnered significant attention online, with many praising Kapoor's self-deprecating humor and the clever use of the viral meme. Social media users have reacted positively, with some commenting on Kapoor's ability to "earn money from the meme". Others lauded the creative strategy, with comments such as "This is brilliant as usual" and "A cool and clever way for Arjun to remind us he's still around". Some fans specifically appreciated Tanmay Bhat's involvement and expressed that Kapoor was making a comeback by owning the meme.
This isn't the first time Kapoor has used humor to address public perception. He has previously made light of his weight struggles and single status. In 2021, he partnered with toothsi, a smile makeover service, in an unconventional ad campaign that played on his image. In that campaign, a teaser showed Kapoor seemingly upset on set, which turned out to be a marketing strategy to highlight his insecurities and promote the brand's aligners. Sebamed, in 2022, also featured Kapoor in an ad where he humorously addressed hair loss concerns.
Kapoor's willingness to poke fun at himself in this latest commercial demonstrates a savvy understanding of meme culture and how to leverage it for marketing purposes. By embracing the viral "angry stare" meme, he not only generates buzz for the ice cream brand but also showcases a lighter side of his personality, proving he doesn't take himself too seriously.
