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29 March 2024

Dubai Malayalees divided over Aishwarya Rai's Malayalam

Published
By Sneha May Francis

Aishwarya Rai speaks Malayalam: Dubai's Malayalees divided over beauty talk

The latest Kalyan jewellery ad (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKLYRLNPhDo) featuring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan taking a quick lesson in Malayalam from actress Manju Warrier has irked many Malayalees in Dubai, and impressed a few.

“It’s a simple ad, and it touches a chord within us because we see Aishwarya making an effort to speak our language,” said an excited fan.

Many, however, did not approve of Ash’s attempt. “What’s the purpose of doing this? It appears too fake. We don’t need to hear her speak in such a strange way,” a Dubai resident said.

“It’s a jewellery ad, but it focuses more on the actresses than the jewellery,” said another.

“Ad makers will go to any extent just to be ‘different’. I just can’t understand why showing Ash talk in Malayalam is of any relevance to the brand,” added Rita, who lives in Bur Dubai. “Also, Ash’s accent is so affected that it appears she’s struggling. It’s strange how she can’t get the twang right even though she is a South Indian herself.”

The advert, which was posted on Manju’s facebook page earlier on Wednesday has received 6,741 ‘likes’ so far. And, it has been ‘shared’ on the social media platform 1,728 times.

Commentators were divided on the social media forum. “There is no punch in this ad,” said a facebook follower.

“Good ad, but the theme is very constrained and why is Aiswarya Rai so excited to know about the new showroom at Trivandrum, didn't get the idea,” wrote in another facebooker.

However, some others applauded the effort. “Good one Manju, keep up the good work”.

The 45-second ad captures Aishwarya chatting with Manju over the telephone. And, during their brief chat, they discuss the opening of Kalyan Jeweller’s new showroom in Thiruvananthapuram.

Manju, who is seen teaching Bharatanatyam to a bunch of enthusiastic kids, steps aside to teach Ash a line in Malayalam. “New Kalyan Jewellers showroom annu Trivandrum-thille ettavum valiya jewellery showroom (which translates into ‘New Kalyan Jewellers showroom is Trivandrum’s biggest showroom’),” repeats Ash.

Manju, who is making a comeback into mainstream Malayalam cinema alongside Mohanlal, had earlier featured in an ad with Amitabh Bachchan.