Bollywood Dreams, Visa Drama & the Marketing That Actually Works

Bollywood’s Europe Obsession Isn’t Dead. Brands Just Gave It a Makeover.From DDLJ to Rocky aur Rani, the fantasy of lovers dancing in Swiss snow still lives rent-free in our heads. But in real life? Getting that Schengen visa is a whole other movie—one with plot twists, rejections, and high-ticket paperwork.

That’s where Atlys and MakeMyTrip come in—two brands that took the Bollywood Europe trope and turned it into gold-standard marketing.

Atlys went full satire. Their print ad throws shade at the visa chaos we all know too well. While Bollywood couples teleport to the Alps, real Indians get stuck refreshing embassy websites. The genius? It’s pain-point marketing with humour. Honest, cheeky, and super shareable.

MakeMyTrip? All glam. Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh twirl through beach and snow in retro regalia—nostalgia maxed out. But the real hook? “This dream’s affordable now.” That’s emotional + utility-driven marketing—a classic combo.

So, what works best?👉 Nostalgia sells.👉 Pain-point storytelling connects.👉 Satire sticks.👉 And real-life relatability? Always wins.

Meanwhile, while Indian travellers dream of Europe, 20% of Schengen visas got rejected in 2023—costing a whopping €12 million. So, more are heading East—to Georgia, Azerbaijan, and beyond.

Bottom line:These ads prove one thing—great marketing isn’t just about fantasy. It’s about flipping the fantasy with truth, insight, and a wink.