Dream11 has rolled out a campaign, 'Aapki Team Mein Kaun?', featuring actors Aamir Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, Arbaaz Khan, Jackie Shroff and cricketers Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah.

Conceptualised by Tilt Brand Solutions and ZeroFifty, the campaign includes a series of eight films that will air throughout the IPL, with the first one already released.

The film opens with Khan and Sharma having a conversation at a party, which is suddenly interrupted when Pant rushes in excitedly and asks for a picture. But his real request takes everyone by surprise as he wants a picture, not with Khan, but with Kapoor. Pant's excitement quickly fades into an awkward moment when it's revealed he only wanted an introduction to Kapoor, leaving Khan a bit miffed. In a huff, Khan gets Kapoor to meet him, but accidentally refers to him as 'Singh' instead of 'Kapoor.' A fuming Kapoor, irked by the slip-up, vents his frustration to Pandya saying, 'Main unko Salman bulao toh?' 

On the flip side, Khan is seen talking to Sharma, discussing the same issue, casually mentioning that he wouldn’t mind being called Salman Khan, honestly, but not Arbaaz Khan. However, just as he says this, Arbaaz walks in, unwittingly making the whole situation even more amusing. As the tension grows, Kapoor continues his ranting, this time to Ashwin, suggesting that maybe the entire generation of actors should retire because the younger crowd just doesn't get the respect they deserve. Meanwhile, Pandya and Bumrah are having their own discussion about the same issue in a different corner. Kapoor eventually blows off steam to Shroff, his anger only increasing with each passing moment. As the debate between the two stars intensifies, Sharma steps in with a solution and suggests settling the issue for once and for all, on the field, by creating their own teams on Dream11. The ad ends on a playful note as both stars reluctantly agree, with the promise of a rivalry on the field.

What we think about it: The ad cleverly plays on celebrity egos and miscommunication, kicking off with Khan and Kapoor’s humorous feud. As the playful banter grows, the escalating tension between the stars grows more relatable and hilarious, with each side becoming increasingly frustrated. The clever integration of the brand message at the end of the film not only ties in the brand but also brings the playful competitiveness of fantasy sports to life.

Vikrant Mudaliar, chief marketing officer, Dream Sports, said, “At Dream11, we are redefining the way fans engage with sports, turning passive viewers into active participants. With this campaign, we’re not just celebrating the passion and camaraderie of cricket but also showcasing the growing convergence of sports and entertainment. ‘Aapki Team Mein Kaun?’ challenges fans to put their skills to the test by selecting players for their Dream11 fantasy teams while tapping into the thrill of the game. By bringing together Bollywood’s biggest stars and India’s top cricketers, we’re making the fantasy sports experience more immersive and inclusive, expanding its appeal to a wider audience across the country.”