The latest release ‘Undekhi’ in digital space, SonyLiv has exposed itself to a backlash by the netizens due to the promotional strategy opted by them. Many individuals have been receiving phone calls from a man called Rishi who in a trembling voice has been conveying to the people that he has seen a murder and how the murderers are after him now. Turns out, it’s all for promotion as during the end of the call people are getting urged to watch Undekhi on SonyLiv.
People have been taking to Twitter to express the outrage regarding this insensitive act.
Here is what the Twitterati had to say about the incident.
#SonyLIV #sonylivoriginals #MumbaiPolice
I want to report an insensitive and ridiculous promotional activity undertaken by #SonyLIV i got a call saying main rishi bol raha hoon i need help i saw a murder and i recorded it and now they are trying to murder me.— Sneha Bajpai (@SnehaBajpai6) July 10, 2020
What a ridiculous #promotional call trick by #Undekhi #SonyLIV Do U even realise what this can cause to a person if they miss out the last few words in panic. Get a better way to promote your series #webseries #advertisement #ScamAlert #murdercall #unethical #worldpremiereseries pic.twitter.com/8CzUhTkVti
— Suvrata Bhati (@BhatiSuvrata) July 10, 2020
@SonyLIV Absolutely disgusted with this ill-timed and insensitive phone call I received for a promotion of some crap show I would probably never even think about again. Unethical. Absolutely unethical.
— N B (@ayewhatmen) July 10, 2020
Shame on you @SonyLIV I just got to know that this call is a promotional gimmick for your new show. I was on the floor breathless with panic when I got it. Are you out of your mind doing this??? @MumbaiPolice you must take action. This is appalling and unethical. https://t.co/4Vp1YAzYjW
— smriti kiran (@smritikiran) July 10, 2020
Even actress Mini Mathur came across this marketing gimmick and called out SonyLiv for their brutal strategy to promote their show. She tweeted, “Has everyone finally LOST THE PLOT??? Such a pathetic, insensitive marketing gimmick at a time when people are already on edge and anxious. What a blooming shame!”
After several complaints, SonyLiv took the matter in its hand and released a statement apologising for antagonising people through their promotion.
If you have received a call for our show Undekhi & it has disturbed you we would like to sincerely apologise to you. This was a test activity which has gone out accidentally & our intention was not to cause any kind of discomfort or panic. We sincerely regret any inconvenience.
— Sony LIV (@SonyLIV) July 10, 2020
The show Undekhi revolves around a man who witnesses a murder and records it. He is later threatened by a powerful man. It began streaming on SonyLiv from today i.e. July 10.
