Ranveer Allahbadia, popularly known as BeerBiceps, has made his comeback to brand collaborations with a new boAt campaign for its wireless power bank. The ad has gone viral not only for the product’s sleek design but for its bold, self-aware narrative, directly addressing Allahbadia’s hiatus following the controversy around India’s Got Latent.
Set in a deserted railway station, the ad is a tongue-in-cheek homage to classic Indian horror films of the ’80s and ’90s. It opens with a viewer watching The Ranveer Show on his phone – until the battery dies abruptly, leaving him frantically searching for a charging point. Enter Allahbadia, appearing onscreen with a ghostly voice effect, admonishing the viewer:
“Iske jaise podcasters itni mehnat karte hain. Bhoot, yeti, alien par content banate hain, aur tum usse beech me hi rok dete ho”
(“Podcasters like him work so hard – making content on ghosts, yetis, and aliens – and you stop it midway!”)
The eerie setup then cuts to a light-hearted moment with Allahbadia saying in his normal voice: “Upgrade to boAt, bro.”
This collaboration is significant, marking Allahbadia’s first major brand partnership since the backlash that followed his legal trial for obscene remarks made during the controversial India’s Got Latent episode. The campaign embraces the “comeback” theme head-on, featuring Allahbadia quipping:
“Tere phone ka toh comeback hogaya, yaar – just like me,”
prompting a witty response from the co-actor:
“Bhai, aap comedy mat karo.”
(“Bro, don’t do comedy anymore.”)
By using humour and candour, boAt and Allahbadia flip a potential reputational challenge into a moment of relatability, allowing audiences to engage with the creator’s redemption arc.
Allahbadia’s return follows a broader trend among creators involved in the controversy. Comedian Samay Raina resumed brand collaborations in July with Knorr, later partnering with Bold Care and Deconstruct Skincare, while Apoorva Mukhija (The Rebel Kid) also appeared in Deconstruct campaigns.
This latest campaign underscores how brands and creators are navigating public perception post-controversy – blending self-awareness, humour, and product storytelling to re-establish trust and re-engage audiences.
