Reel wisdom: 1975 classics still scripting brand recall

AS CLASSIC FILMS from 1975 celebrate their golden jubilee, they serve as important examples for companies that wish to go beyond nostalgia to revive a product.

- GEETIKA SRIVASTAVA

These movies have stood the test of time to such an extent that they are still being quoted, parodied and referred to across generations.

At a time when brands like Kelvinator, Campa Cola, and Bajaj's Chetak are making a comeback, alongside the resurgence of mascots like Onida's devil and taglines such as Pepsi's iconic "Yeh Dil Maange More", these films offer valuable lessons in how to tap into the cultural zeitgeist and build lasting relevance.

Take Sholay. It wasn't just a movie, it was an experience. At its heart, it is a story of friendship — between Jai and Veeru — that outshines even the film's romantic storyline. While brands attempt to build universes in 2025, Sholay did it 50 years ago with its beloved characters and iconic dialogues.

It showed that when you elevate emotional undercurrents such as loyalty and sacrifice, your audience not only watches, but they also internalise. For brands, this offers a masterclass in creating campaigns that go beyond just the product and cause cultural imprinting.