Stars Shine in Ads: IGNCA Explores the Golden Age of Hindi Cinema in Advertising
15th December, New Delhi: Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, cordially invites you to a special exhibition titled ‘Stars Shine in Ads : An Unique Ad Exhibition’, to be held on 16th December 2025.
Beyond the world of cinema, advertising played a decisive role in bringing cinematic personalities into the fabric of everyday life. Film stars shaped public taste, fashion, and aspiration, and the trust they inspired made them central to the evolution of Indian advertising. Their association with products marked an important phase in the nation’s visual and cultural history.
This engagement was not limited to screen actors alone. Renowned singers and other cinema personalities—among them Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammed Rafi, Begum Akhtar, and screenwriter Salim Khan—also featured in advertisements, extending their cultural presence into the commercial sphere. Drawing on advertisements from 1950 to 1990, the exhibition traces the dynamic intersections between cinema and advertising. While some material remains difficult to access, the ongoing advertisement archiving initiative at IGNCA continues to expand this valuable visual record.
On this occasion, a panel discussion will also be held, featuring eminent personalities from the fields of advertising, culture, and the arts.
Event Details
· Chief Guest: Shri Prahlad Kakkar, Ad Guru and Renowned Indian advertising film director
· Guest of Honour: Shri Sushil Pandit, communication strategist
· Chairperson: Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, Member Secretary, IGNCA
· Inaugural Address: Shri Anurag Punetha, Controller, Media Centre
· Date: 16 December 2025
· Time: 12:00 PM onwards
· Venue: Samvet Auditorium, IGNCA, Janpath, New Delhi
This exhibition offers an engaging perspective for those interested in advertising, media, and India’s cultural past. It invites viewers to revisit advertisements that, shaped by cinematic personalities, became enduring presences in Indian households for decades.
Media professionals are warmly invited to attend and share this significant journey of Indian advertising with their audiences and readers.
