MakeMyTrip has unveiled its latest campaign, ‘Villain Mat Bano’, a five-part digital film series that turns the chaos of international travel into humorous, filmy moments. Conceptualized by Restless @ MagicCircle, the campaign fuses nostalgia, travel realities, and classic Bollywood drama to strike a chord with Indian travellers.
The films feature legendary 90s Bollywood villains – Gulshan Grover, Mukesh Rishi, and Dalip Tahil – reimagined not as villains, but as travellers facing everyday trip troubles. From visa delays and missed check-ins to the eternal search for Indian food abroad, the campaign highlights how even the calmest traveller can feel like a “villain” when travel plans go awry.
Bringing the concept to life, MakeMyTrip leaned into a distinctly Bollywood aesthetic. Each film is accompanied by a hand-painted poster designed in the style of vintage cinema art, celebrating the craft of traditional poster painting. A behind-the-scenes feature further showcases the artists behind these nostalgic visuals.
Rishabh Kapoor, Creative Director at Restless, said, “We didn’t want to rely on nostalgia by recreating their old villain looks. The fun was in modernising them – iconic personalities caught in relatable travel messes. With Veera Kapur’s quirky costume design, the characters feel over-the-top yet completely current.”
Angira Lahiri, Strategy Head at Restless, added, “In short-form storytelling, you have to grab attention fast. These films work because they’re rooted in truth – Indians genuinely feel these travel frustrations. We just chose to laugh about them instead of complain.”
Ashit Chakravarty, COO, MagicCircle, shared, “What makes ‘Villain Mat Bano’ special is its mix of emotion, nostalgia, and humour. It’s not just another travel ad – it’s a slice of Indian culture. The creative execution ensures it’ll stay memorable long after the campaign ends.”
Abhinav Narula, VP – Marketing, MakeMyTrip, said, “With ‘Villain Mat Bano’, we wanted to acknowledge real travel pain points with empathy and entertainment. MakeMyTrip’s platform is built to solve these issues – so travellers can enjoy their journey without ever feeling like the villain.”
By merging Bollywood nostalgia with modern travel insights, ‘Villain Mat Bano’ perfectly captures MakeMyTrip’s brand ethos – making every journey smoother, smarter, and far more entertaining.
