Flipkart faces criticism online for a Freedom Sale advertisement that resembles obituary notices. The print ad shows photographs and personal details of individuals inside memorial-style boxes, paired with copy suggesting that people depicted would continue living while Flipkart’s deals would disappear as the sale’s last day approaches.
The backlash centers on concerns that the ad uses the imagery and framing of death to promote a retail discount. Some social media users question whether the individuals shown are real, and whether the images are AI-generated or assisted. NDTV reports that multiple users call the campaign “insensitive and inappropriate,” while the Free Press Journal adds that author Shobhaa De publicly condemned it on X as “disgusting and insensitive,” urging consumers to boycott.
Both outlets note that Flipkart has not publicly clarified whether specific editions carried the ad or addressed the complaints directly. Reactions remain mixed: some users argue the creative approach is attention-grabbing, while others say the premise itself is flawed. The criticism also comes amid reminders of prior controversy around Flipkart marketing campaigns, including one earlier Republic Day Sale initiative that had drawn objections for referencing real-world personal conflict.
