Deepavali ads in 2025 have brought a new wave of emotion and creativity to Malaysia’s festive season. Across screens and social feeds, brands turned Diwali 2025 into a celebration of love, gratitude, and family bonds rather than pure promotion.
This year’s campaigns reminded viewers that true light comes from connection.
Brands used laughter and stories of sacrifice to connect emotionally and inspire engagement, each discovering their unique path to leave a lasting impression.
Here are five Deepavali ads that truly shone blending heartfelt storytelling with smart digital strategy to make the festival glow brighter online and off.
Table of Contents
1. Watsons Malaysia – “Oli-Ways With Me” (2025)
Watsons’ “Oli-Ways With Me” turned Deepavali 2025 into a celebration of family laughter and togetherness.
The ad portrayed grandparents, parents, children, and even the family pet in cheerful chaos, showing that true light shines brightest at home.
How they did it:
Working with Ayda Jebat, Watsons used humour, colour, and music to reflect the energy of Malaysian households.
The campaign extended to TikTok dance challenges and Instagram Reels, sparking user-generated content across the festive week.
Building that kind of connection takes more than visibility; it takes social media marketing that builds the social presence that listens, responds, and grows with your audience.
Result:
Viewers responded emotionally, praising the relatability and joy of real family moments. The catchy jingle and festive visuals made it one of the most replayed ads of the season.
Key Takeaway:
Festive ads win hearts when they feel like shared moments, not marketing messages.
Learn how our Facebook Ads and Instagram Ads strategies can help your brand reach the right audience this festive season.
2. MR.DIY – “A Gift of Light” (2025)
MR.DIY surprised everyone with a tender story of two siblings learning to reconnect after a hurtful argument.
The story revolved around an apology, not a grand gesture, but a small act that mended something fragile.
The film’s emotional core rested on one universal truth: words can hurt, but forgiveness can rebuild warmth faster than any lamp or decoration.
How they did it:
Instead of promoting discounts, the brand spotlighted empathy. Everyday items became symbols of care, linking MR.DIY’s affordability to emotional accessibility.
The film was shared through the brand’s app, YouTube, and a festive hashtag that encouraged small acts of kindness.
Result:
The ad drew positive sentiment online, with viewers sharing personal stories of forgiveness. It subtly elevated MR.DIY’s image from “cheap” to “thoughtful.”
Key Takeaway:
Emotion gives value to even the simplest brand. Empathy builds recall better than price tags.
3. PETRONAS – “விருந்து | Santapan Kasih | Taste of Love” (2025)
PETRONAS returns with another heartwarming festive story for Deepavali 2025. This year’s film, “Santapan Kasih” (Taste of Love), follows Shalini, a young woman caught up in the rush of preparations who momentarily loses sight of what truly matters.
A simple, loving gesture rekindles her sense of connection and family warmth, reminding viewers that the heart of every celebration lies in togetherness.
How they did it:
PETRONAS continues its signature approach to emotional storytelling, blending everyday Malaysian life with cinematic warmth.
The use of Tamil dialogue enriches cultural authenticity, while the film’s pacing, music, and visual tones mirror the comfort of a shared meal.
Hashtags like #TasteofLove and #SantapanKasih invite online participation and community sharing, extending the emotional reach across social media.
Result:
The ad quickly gained attention across platforms, resonating deeply with Malaysian audiences.
Many viewers praised its relatable message and the way it honoured cultural identity through a universal theme of love and gratitude.
Key Takeaway:
Stories that celebrate simple human gestures often leave the strongest emotional impact.
By showing everyday warmth through authentic cultural lenses, PETRONAS continues to strengthen its place as Malaysia’s master of festive storytelling.
High-quality video storytelling and YouTube Ads can turn your message into a lasting emotional connection.
4. Astro Malaysia – “Ithu Namma Kondattam” (2025)
Astro’s Deepavali ad took a relatable household mishap: a sudden power cut and turned it into a story of teamwork.
The film unfolded in a Tamil family preparing for the festival when darkness filled the home. Instead of panic, they rallied together to fix it and carry on celebrating.
The family’s determination turned what could have been a crisis into a moment of unity. Viewers smiled at the chaos, the humour, and the way the lights finally returned as music filled the house once more.
How they did it:
Shot inside a lively Tamil household, the story mixed humour and realism.
The brand aired it across Astro Ulagam, main TV channels, and OTT apps, reaching diverse Malaysian homes. Short social clips and GIFs made it easily shareable.
Result:
The film resonated for its simplicity. Viewers praised how it captured everyday family life such relatable, funny, and full of heart. It reminded everyone that even setbacks can spark connection.
Key Takeaway:
Relatable stories stay longer in memory than perfect ones. Simplicity connects faster than spectacle.
If your campaign deserves a spotlight across digital spaces, Google Ads can help extend your reach beyond social media.
5. Air Selangor – “Demi Deepa” (2025)
Air Selangor presented one of the year’s most moving stories. A father who sacrificed his financial stability so his daughter could chase her academic dream.
The narrative, inspired by real events, was quiet and intense, capturing the ache of giving everything for love and the peace that follows.
The daughter’s success was a tribute to the father’s sacrifice, reflecting the lasting impact of love.
How they did it:
Air Selangor kept the tone cinematic but grounded in reality. Labelled “Inspired by a True Story,” it gained instant credibility.
The ad directed viewers to Hydro Hub, the brand’s digital storytelling platform, encouraging reflection and engagement.
Result:
Audiences flooded YouTube with emotional comments, calling it one of the year’s most touching campaigns. The story humanised a public utility, showing care beyond service.
Key Takeaway:
Authenticity outshines glamour. Real stories turn everyday brands into emotional icons.
Bonus Feature: MFM Cap Ros – “Resepi Muruku Raya Cahaya” (2025)
MFM Cap Ros celebrated Deepavali 2025 with a heart-warming social campaign centred on food and togetherness.
The highlight was a murukku recipe video that inspired families to cook, share, and celebrate together across Malaysia’s kitchens.
How they did it:
The brand used its Facebook and Instagram pages as a festive storytelling hub.
Short recipe clips, colourful visuals, and local-language captions made every post feel personal.
The campaign invited followers to recreate dishes and tag their creations turning everyday kitchens into brand conversations.
Result:
Audiences responded with enthusiasm, sharing photos, family stories, and cooking tips. The campaign built community spirit and boosted organic engagement throughout the festive period.
Key Takeaway:
Festive connection starts with small, familiar rituals. When a brand joins those daily moments, it earns a place in people’s homes and hearts.
Let’s Keep the Light Shining Together
Deepavali is always a time to pause, appreciate, and reconnect. As brands continue to tell stories that unite hearts in their Deepavali ads, it reminds us how powerful empathy and creativity can be when they shine together.
We in Newnormz , we celebrate ideas that bring people closer to the stories that inspire, uplift, and move communities.
May this season of light keep your homes bright, your hearts open, and your imagination alive.
If you’d like to explore how your next festive campaign can connect with audiences on a deeper level, reach out to our team.
Let’s create stories that people don’t just watch.They feel.
✨ Wishing everyone a joyful Deepavali 2025 from all of us at Newnormz. ✨
