Cars24 has rolled out a quirky campaign featuring veteran cricketer Dinesh Karthik which spotlights the online car-selling platform’s features.

The film opens on the set of an ad shoot for the brand, wherein the cricketer is portrayed rehearsing for a role he clearly wasn’t coached for - that of an actor. What was meant to be a straightforward shoot takes a hilariously unexpected turn when the former India wicket-keeper goes off-script with a performance that leaves the entire crew completely 'stumped.' 

What we think about it: The campaign hits the sweet spot between humour and branding by poking fun at Karthik’s 'acting debut' which makes the ad feel refreshingly self-aware. The witty, meta setup and the cricketer’s comic timing set it apart in a sea of celebrity-led sameness, while landing the brand's messaging with effortless ease.