As the storm surrounding Deepika Padukone and filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga continues to stir debates online, an unexpected development has caught netizens’ attention — an old television commercial featuring Animal actress Triptii Dimri has gone viral. The resurfaced advertisement, which was originally for a gas stove brand, is making waves on social media, with many drawing links to the ongoing controversy for its coincidental relevance and ironic undertones.
Triptii Dimri, who garnered massive popularity after her role in Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Animal, is seen in the now-viral clip endorsing a gas oven in a classic domestic setting. Dressed as a traditional Indian homemaker, Triptii is portrayed lighting a stove and praising the efficiency and safety features of the appliance. While the ad seemed ordinary at the time of its release, it’s now being viewed through a new, unintended lens due to the polarised conversation around the portrayal of women in Vanga’s films.
The timing of this rediscovery couldn’t be more uncanny. The ad started circulating again shortly after actress Deepika Padukone was drawn into a social media storm for allegedly rejecting a role in Animal, followed by controversial statements made by director Sandeep Reddy Vanga that sparked debates over misogyny, creative choices, and the representation of female characters in Indian cinema.
Many online users have commented on the resurfaced ad, calling it a “symbolic full circle,” given Triptii’s role in Animal and the film’s often-criticised depiction of gender dynamics. Some social media users have even taken a satirical route, turning stills from the commercial into memes that play off current headlines, while others have appreciated Triptii’s journey from doing traditional advertisements to becoming one of the most talked-about actresses of the moment.
One user posted on X (formerly Twitter), “From gas stove ads to stealing the spotlight in a Ranbir Kapoor-starrer, Triptii Dimri has come a long way. But the irony isn’t lost on us, especially considering the current Vanga-Deepika discourse.” Another wrote, “Triptii being in that ad is such a throwback to the roles women were expected to play — now compare that to her character in Animal. That’s quite the contrast.”
The viral moment has once again underscored the internet’s uncanny ability to dig up content from the past and reframe it within a new narrative. It has also opened up broader discussions about the evolution of female representation — both in media and in the careers of actresses like Triptii Dimri.
Despite the divided opinions about Animal, one thing is clear: Triptii’s performance was widely praised and elevated her to a new level of visibility in Bollywood. She is now among the most sought-after young talents, with multiple big-banner projects reportedly in the pipeline.
As the debate continues to rage on about the creative liberties taken by filmmakers and the kind of roles actresses choose or reject, the resurfacing of this old commercial serves as an unexpected flashback. Whether viewed as ironic, nostalgic, or symbolic, it adds another layer to the ever-evolving public discourse around gender, cinema, and celebrity narratives in India.
