Aishwarya Rai-Vivek Oberoi's 2003 Coca-Cola Ad Revives Bollywood Memories

An old Coca-Cola commercial featuring Aishwarya Rai and Vivek Oberoi has resurfaced on social media, nearly 23 years after its initial release. The ad was part of the company's 'Piyo Thanda, Jiyo Thanda' campaign in 2003, which aimed to connect the 'Thanda' proposition with urban youth.

The commercial plays out like a short romantic comedy, showcasing Aishwarya and Vivek's on-screen chemistry. It features the two actors engaging in a playful exchange, with the ad leaning into flirtation, humour, and the idea of 'seizing the moment'. The campaign was designed to give Coca-Cola's established 'Thanda' equity a more urban context.

The ad also offers a snapshot of how celebrity casting worked in Indian advertising at the time. Coca-Cola used Aishwarya and Vivek not just to sell a beverage but to attach the brand to youth culture, romance, humour, and an aspirational urban lifestyle.