Prachi Nigam Ad Controversy: Bombay Shaving Company faces backlash for 'supportive' ad message

The online bullying of Uttar Pradesh Class 10 topper Prachi Nigam due to her facial hair sparked widespread condemnation. Bombay Shaving Company attempted to show support for Prachi through an advertisement, but the ad's content led to further criticism.

The Ugly Side of the Internet
Prachi Nigam, who recently topped the Class 10 exams in Uttar Pradesh, faced disparaging comments online regarding her appearance. This incident prompted an outpouring of support for Prachi and acknowledgment of her academic achievements.


Bombay Shaving Company's Controversial Ad
Bombay Shaving Company's advertisement, shared by CEO Shantanu Deshpande on LinkedIn, included a message of encouragement for Prachi.

“It was shocking to see the amount of hate targeted at a teenage girl who had topped an exam because of her facial hair. Our simple message to this amazing young woman with such a bright future. Love to see my team ooze class. No opportunistic sale, QR code, nothing. Just a heartfelt message to a fellow Bae,” he wrote.

The ad text reads, “Dear Prachi, they’re trolling your hair today, they’ll applaud your AIR tomorrow”. A tagline follows it, “We hope you never get bullied into using our razor”.

However, the ad's closing statement, "We hope you never get bullied into using our razor," drew backlash from social media users.


Social Media Backlash
Criticism of the ad was swift, with many calling it "absurd" and "disgusting." Users questioned the company's intentions and branding strategy, while some suggested legal action against the company for using Prachi Nigam's name without consent.

“This is shocking and in very bad taste. Bombay Shaving Company needs better brand advisors,” posted an X user.
“Disgusting. Bombay Shaving Company is a bigger troll here by writing the line at the bottom,” added another.

A LinkedIn user commented, “Isn't this advertisement bullying Prachi on a national level? You need a better copywriter. This is disgusting.”

Another expressed, “Hey Shantanu, this is absolutely absurd. Nothing cool about this ad, and it’s so unfortunate that even companies with reputations don’t want to leave a chance of leveraging an unfortunate incident”.

A third person joined, “Distasteful. Not every situation should be dragged for your own branding.”

"Bombay Shaving Company's front-page ad supporting Prachi, who faced social media trolling, ends with 'we hope you never get bullied into using our razor'. Seriously? How low and insensitive can a company stoop for advertising?" another user wrote on X.

Shantanu Deshpande defended the ad, describing it as a gesture of support for Prachi in the face of online bullying. Despite his efforts to highlight the positive message, many users found the ad and the company's response lacking in sensitivity.

While Bombay Shaving Company's ad was likely meant to show support for Prachi Nigam, it ultimately led to controversy and criticism. The incident underscores the importance of careful consideration and empathy in advertising, especially when addressing sensitive issues like bullying and body image.