Ever since the lockdown started, people have been relying on online streaming platforms for entertainment. Some of the series on the OTT platform have garnered appreciation from viewers and critics alike. During the lockdown, the subscription numbers for these OTT platforms has grown many folds. To reach a wider audience, online platforms use innovative promotional activities from to time to time. But recently, a promotional gimmick by SonyLIV's for its new crime thriller show 'Undekhi' did not go the way the makers intended it to.
As per media reports, Mumbai residents received "fake murder calls" from the network. The call has a man's trembling voice saying that he has witnessed a murder and that he is about to get murdered too. By the end of the call, it is revealed that this is a promotional call for the new crime thriller show.
Outraged with this horrifying gimmick, citizens took to Twitter to address this issue and lashed out at the network, makers and promoters of the show. People called the promotional activity unethical and dangerous. Many users even tagged Mumbai Police to their tweets and urged them action against the network.
After receiving backlash from the outraged citizens, the team of SonyLIV immediately apologized on Twitter. The streaming platform claimed that the test activity had gone out "accidentally".
If you have received a call for our show Undekhi & it has disturbed you we would like to sincerely apologise to you. This was a test activity which has gone out accidentally & our intention was not to cause any kind of discomfort or panic. We sincerely regret any inconvenience.
— SonyLIV (@SonyLIV) July 10, 2020
Maharashtra cyber cell took to twitter saying that it had asked SonyLIV to cease the promotional activity immediately, which created panic among the citizens.
It has come to our attention that a Sony Liv, a tv channel has used a tactic for the promotion of its new show by calling people and playing a disturbing voice recording. If you receive any such call, please do not panic and create rumours. (1/n)
— Maharashtra Cyber (@MahaCyber1) July 10, 2020
Mumbai Police also took to twitter and said that any publicity that creates panic and threatens the security of Mumbaikars will be dealt with necessary severity.
The era of ‘any publicity is good publicity’ is a passé. Any publicity creating panic amongst citizens and suggesting a threat to their security will be dealt with necessary severity. Hope the fake calls for promotions aren’t bothering you any longer, Mumbaikars #SoNotDone
— Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) July 10, 2020
Following this, SonyLIV again took to twitter to apologize to both Maharashtra Cyber Cell and Mumbai Police regarding the incident.
SonyLIV deeply regrets the recent promotional test activity for its show “Undekhi” which has caused anguish to some people. Our intention was never to cause distress to anyone. We sincerely regret any inconvenience caused and offer our apologies @MumbaiPolice @MahaCyber1
— SonyLIV (@SonyLIV) July 11, 2020
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