By now, undoubtedly, you’ve all watched that viral Shan Masala ad that doubles as an emotional tale about fitting in and bonding with your neighbors.
The ad spread like wildfire.
Just waiting for memes about the new shan masala ad ??
— Fatimah T (@fatimah_tabba) April 24, 2017
Since we’re all keen analysts deep down, the ad was dissected and scrutinized.
Is CPEC paying for the new Shan masala ad, that Chalay Thay Saath movie and other Pak-China dosti ventures?
— Fatima Tassadiq (@fatimatassadiq) April 23, 2017
Questions were asked.
Just watched Shan masala ad, so what's the fuss around it? Is it that it's showing Chinese making better Biryani than Lahoris?
— Ahsan Zawar (@ahsanzawar) April 24, 2017
Debates were sparked.
@hamnazubair Technically they showed *food* as breaking ice for her… & esp. in othr countries u don't just show up, u take some form of food over.
— Proud Pakistani (@hbk_lifeonthego) April 24, 2017
Pakistanis needed answers and were quick to state their observations.
An insight of Shan Masala ad pic.twitter.com/PQaHDRp0TU
— ArisTurtle?? (@Em__Aar) April 25, 2017
Some people loved the Shan ad and voiced their appreciation
Brilliant Ad by Shan Foods.#KhaanaWithParosi
Pakistan-China Friendship
???? pic.twitter.com/UO5HN2JEBU— Mansoor A.Qureshi (@MansoorAhmedQu2) April 24, 2017
@MansoorAhmedQu2 Amazing Ad by #ShanFoods. #KhaanaWithParosi Pakistan-China Friendship ????Shan ???
— DK (@DK_Khemani) April 24, 2017
Loved the new @ShanFoods ad. Lovely concept, amazing neighbours. #KhushiyanChakhLo #KhaanaWithParosi
— Faran Chaudhry (@faranch) April 24, 2017
Some highlighted the importance of the one true bonding factor when it comes to Pakistanis – biryani
Chinese? i'd accept Biryani even from the aliens.
— flabby (@ifatymah) April 24, 2017
Some highlighted a major plot-hole in the Shan ad
If they REALLY wanted to show cultural integration she would've made noodle biryani but NOOOOO fail ad Shan Foods pls delete i m outrage
— Sarkhail Khan (@Sarkhail7Khan) April 24, 2017
Someone pointed out something we all should’ve been wondering
A foreign woman crossed the street all alone and no Lahori munda whistled at her…. strange ????#Shan
— ماریہ? (@mariabutt441) April 24, 2017
The downside of the over-the-top manner of desi hospitality was memed
When you instantly regret your decision..#KhaanaWithParosi #Shan pic.twitter.com/y5uPoWAK5Q
— Raheeeel (@Rahil_Dar1) April 24, 2017
Some considered the Shan ad to be regressive
To all going gaga over the Shan Foods ad – you know 'cooking' isn't the only way women bond right?
Ok. Good.
— Hamna Zubair (@hamnazubair) April 24, 2017
Others didn’t quite agree
OMG shan showing women COOKING?! In a MASALA ad HOW DARE THEY?! WHEN willl THE OPPRESSION STAHHHPPP?! https://t.co/9HqTmDXos3
— . (@CharsiBhangi) April 24, 2017
You know 'Shan' ke ad mein cooking hi hogi cycling nahi?
— Moochar (@AsliBinLaden) April 24, 2017
Many were appalled at the lack of aloos in the biryani
It is extremely regressive, I honestly don't remember seeing a single aloo in the biryani. https://t.co/zXyg26wzdE
— Sarkhail Khan (@Sarkhail7Khan) April 24, 2017
@Sarkhail7Khan @palwashaminhas @RizwanPehelwan @themaholupper Who doesn't love aloo in Biryani. That's what makes the Biryani.
— Yayoi (@Anumak47) April 24, 2017
Other people had an issue with how the Chinese woman has to undergo a transformation of sorts to be accepted
Accepting others doesn't have to come at the expense of leaving your own identity #KhaanaWithParosi #pakchinafriendship
— Farah Shah (@journoforlife) April 24, 2017
The biryani making skills of Lahoris were also questioned
That chinese in Shan ad cooked a better biryani than lahoris will ever ?
— dead. (@pinkmayn) April 24, 2017
That awkward moment when a Chinese lady ended up making a better looking biryani than those Lahori aunties.
— Junaid Akram (@junaidakram83) April 24, 2017
As expected, the biryani vs pulao debate was sparked
Tbh winning Lahoris over with biryani isn't impressive at all, wo log tou wese hi biryani kay naam pe pulao khatay hain
— Glorified Mazdoor (@EdBasheeran) April 25, 2017
It took almost 70 years to Lahories to understand the difference between #Biryani and #Pulaao thanks to game changer #CPEC ?? pic.twitter.com/DVajPs74so
— Sarfraz سرفراز (@BornChallenger) April 25, 2017
To the point where Meesha Shafi weighed in with her extremely valid opinion as well
Turning an ad about sharing and acceptance into a battle of KHI vs LHR biryani supremacy. Only we can do that! #justDESIthings ?
— Meesha Shafi (@itsmeeshashafi) April 25, 2017
This guy even offered to bridge the gap
To the Biryani and Pulao brigade. I propose a truce pic.twitter.com/N8ZkNr0TKB
— Muhammad Usama Khan (@BohemianRevolt) April 24, 2017
Some people had some pretty monumental concerns
my only issue with the Shan ad (except goodbye pakistan) is that all dem beatches be eating the rices with a tablespoon #wrong
— HawkesBay (Löuche) (@HawkesBay) April 24, 2017
Wait. Lahore mein Biryani? Eating AT THE DOOR? Pouting selfies???Y'all talking about the wrong issues with the Shaan ad.
— Ali H. Abbasi (@themaholupper) April 24, 2017
matlub badtameezi ki hudh hai usse andar tou bula lo ? pic.twitter.com/50TxFo4BZo
— h (@HaadeaP) April 24, 2017
Conspiracy theories were put forward
Gormint paid Shan foods to create an ad that would distract from the #PanamaVerdict
— Zarrar Khuhro (@ZarrarKhuhro) April 24, 2017
But this was, perhaps, the most valid statement
lol @ those doing a step by step, psychological breakdown of the Shan ad…its's just a fuckin' ad, chill the fuck out.
— Ahmed (@azkhawaja1) April 24, 2017
Regardless of what you think about the ad, it is, at the end of the day, just an ad. Maybe we really do need to chill and take our analytical skills down a notch. Just sayin’.
Let’s just weigh in on the most important question out of this whole ad
Cover image via: Shan Foods / YouTube