I wish I had made these

According to Dani, two of his most favourite ads include The Times of India ‘Pakya’ campaign and Centerfresh ‘Small Talk’ TVC. He says, ” The Times of India ?Pakya? campaign done by Leo Burnett is definitely one of my all time favourites. The storyline is so inherently Indian and the emotions are so true and relatable. The casting (especially, the old man) and the crafting is near perfect. There are so many moments in the film that remain etched in your memory: the screaming friends who go quiet as they pass the temple, the old man clutching his toes as he attempts to stand and the last shot of him dancing, seen through the broken window pane. All these moments give rise to a really fantastic commercial. Individuals like Aggie and Abhinay keep creating work that really inspires us all. Definitely a commercial I wish I had done. Great stuff!?

He adds, ? Add to the bucket list: Create a commercial as hilarious, if not better, as the Center Fresh ?Small Talk? ad by Ogilvy. Executed in a typical Government public service jingle avatar, this one takes a dig at us doing what we do best, just talk. A classic example of how a simple insight, with an interesting twist, beautifully executed can lead to a fabulous commercial. This creative team really lets its work do the talking. Kudos!?

Thank god, it isn?t me

The two ads that Dani is happy he is not associated with include Mahindra SUV ‘500’ stories and Bisleri ‘Stay Protected’ campaign. Talking about the Mahindra ad, he says, ? For possibly the best ever Indian SUV, this is perhaps one of the most disappointing commercials. The multiple plots, uninspiring execution, weak scripting and the inept performances is a concoction for failure. A car I want to drive, a hell yeah! An ad I wish I had done, a hell NO! Seriously what are these guys on? Carrots? Karamchand would be very disappointed.?

H e adds, ? The Bisleri Loch Ness monster commercial, is a monster of a disaster. The storyline just does not do it for me. At the end of the commercial it just leaves you with one feeling: What the %$#*! I guess the guy who gets eaten by the baby monster was the writer. Any ideas on how to stay protected from such commercials? Get me a drink someone!?

My first ad

His first TV commercial was a small promo for McDonald?s Happy Meal with his then boss Harshad Rajadhyakshya. ?We were giving away Dragon Ball Z toys with every Happy Meal (P.s: I tried my best to scam a few of the toys, but I guess my kleptomaniac days are well behind me). Jokes apart, I had an awesome time working on the jingle with Leslie Lewis in Pune. Got to learn a lot thanks to Harshad and I got to meet Ronald McDonald himself. Couldn?t have asked for more,? he says.

As told to Payal Khandelwal