Policybazaar Ad During India-Pakistan Match Criticized for ‘Insensitive’ Content
A Policybazaar advertisement aired on JioHotstar during the India vs Pakistan Champions Trophy match on Sunday has sparked criticism on social media for its allegedly “insensitive” messaging. The ad featured a grieving woman expressing frustration over her deceased husband’s failure to buy term insurance, raising concerns about its tone and emotional impact.
A Policybazaar advertisement aired on JioHotstar during the India vs Pakistan Champions Trophy match on Sunday has sparked criticism on social media for its allegedly “insensitive” messaging. The ad featured a grieving woman expressing frustration over her deceased husband’s failure to buy term insurance, raising concerns about its tone and emotional impact.
Ad Criticized for Lack of Sensitivity
In the advertisement, the woman laments, “Main school ki fees kaise bharungi, ghar ka kharcha bhi hai…” (How will I pay the school fees? There are also household expenses…). Many viewers found the portrayal distasteful, arguing that it prioritized financial concerns over the emotional aspect of loss.
Social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), saw an outpouring of reactions condemning the advertisement. A user named Siddharth wrote, “Am I the only one who finds this Policybazaar ad insanely insensitive? A man just passed away, and the first thing his wife does is blame him for not buying term insurance? This isn’t financial awareness, it’s just insensitive storytelling.”
Another user, Steve Dsouza, commented, “Not a fan of the new @policybazaar ad. It is rather filled with angst and creating a fake urgency. Could have been more sensitive, informative, and empathetic.”
Social Media Reactions
Several users also shared a video in which a man described the ad as “wahyat” (nonsense), criticizing the way it pushed the importance of term insurance. The video clip, widely circulated on X, featured a man stating, “The woman is saying that he didn’t plan for term insurance. But he also didn’t plan to die. I feel bad for the man in the frame too because at his condolence meeting, when people say he is at a better place, it’s probably true—because if your partner is cursing you, then you are definitely at a better place.”
Reacting to the controversy, X user Nityanand Singh said, “Life insurance is a product that should never be pushed like this. It’s a very sensitive and important product and would do well not to be promoted using fear. Policybazaar could do much better.”
Another user, Zian Lakdawalla, added, “Some viewers called this ad ‘pathetic’ and said it had a ‘crappy social message.’ @policybazaar needs to do better. A widowed woman lamenting that her husband died without buying term life insurance is highly insensitive.”
No Response from Policybazaar Yet
HT.com has reached out to Policybazaar for a statement on the backlash. However, at the time of publication, the company had not responded.
While the intent behind the ad was likely to emphasize the importance of financial planning and term insurance, many viewers believe the execution lacked empathy. The controversy highlights the fine line between raising financial awareness and being mindful of emotional sensitivities in advertising.
Sources By Agencies
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