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Shan Foods celebrates Pak-China friendship over a delicious plate of biryani

Shan Foods celebrates Pak-China friendship over a delicious plate of biryani

Their new ad gives us more reason to love thy neighbour
24 Apr, 2017

It's really as easy as feeding Pakistanis biryani to win them over.

Shan Foods gives us more reason to love thy neighbour in their new ad which shows a Chinese woman befriending her Pakistani neighbours over a plate of biryani.

The ad shows a newly moved Chinese couple in a Lahori neighbourhood struggling to make friends due to multiple barries: language and food. However, in a stroke of genius, the wife decides to make biryani and introduce herself to her Pakistani neighbours.

Her biryani turns out to be an instant hit and the Pakistani women cannot stop gushing over it. But is it fair to say that women only bond over food?

Social media, on the other hand, is buzzing with people talking about the ad.

After all, what better way to bring two people together than food, right?

Comments

Awes Apr 24, 2017 02:30pm
Ab biryani bhi CPEC Se aye gi ?
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Ashraf Apr 24, 2017 02:36pm
Tax free im sure
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Naveed Apr 24, 2017 02:42pm
Well, nice one from Shan Foods. Advertising at its best. Nice to see our soft image and show it to the world, our values and hopsitality.
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Abbas Apr 24, 2017 02:46pm
Excellent effort. The ad should be translated in Chinese and other international languages and broadcast in other parts of the world. This is the soft image that Pakistan needs.
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Naveed Apr 24, 2017 02:51pm
One of the most brilliant local ads i came across.... do not want to indulge it with women bonding and stuff .... Spare me!! Praise a thought!!
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MalikBhai Apr 24, 2017 02:52pm
Biryani is included in CPEC now!
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Muhammad Riaz Apr 24, 2017 02:55pm
The biryani is special food for marriage acrimony and this biryani must cooked by man (male). why the the shan food broke his tradition for non female advertisement.
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South Asia Apr 24, 2017 02:55pm
But they sell their Shan Masalas in India.
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Azhar Ali Apr 24, 2017 03:00pm
woooooooow! an amazing ad...
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sAAR dEEPAK Apr 24, 2017 03:06pm
Make SHAN noodles also..
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Shahid Apr 24, 2017 03:18pm
Very nice Ad
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Amer Rao Apr 24, 2017 03:28pm
Its wonderful ad, Shan you made my day!
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lafanga Apr 24, 2017 03:30pm
I like the fact Pakistanis are learning the ways of projecting soft power and image in this day and age. If this ad runs in China it would show the normal human face of Pakistan and not what is incorrectly shown in the Western or Indian media. This was not possible few years back. Love the ad.
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Atif Apr 24, 2017 03:49pm
@South Asia There is no Pakistani product in India
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MJ Apr 24, 2017 03:51pm
is it just me or this is the first ad by Shan Foods that shows women ?
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farrukh ejaz Apr 24, 2017 04:18pm
Good way to talk in the language of the food which is liked by the other one.
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KUL DEEP Apr 24, 2017 04:32pm
my goodness just saw the ad on YouTube after reading this article and it's awesome simple and sobre and mind boggling
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kuNAL MAJUMDAR Apr 24, 2017 04:57pm
@MalikBhai: Please add Manchurian Biryani, Peking Raan and Cantonese Rogan Josh.
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Ahmer Apr 24, 2017 05:30pm
Hey Shan Foods, your spices are awesome. May I suggest that you dabble in Hakka spices too. The Pak-Chinese cuisine. Like Chicken Fried Rice or Chicken Manchurian. I hope you are reading this.
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HaMAAD Apr 24, 2017 05:39pm
Shaan does have a line of spice mix for Chinese dishes as well.
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Ahmed Apr 24, 2017 05:43pm
Very soon Shan Masala will be imported from China.
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Shaziah Zuberi Apr 24, 2017 06:33pm
Great ad!!! No doubt breaking bread together and sharing food provides the connectivity whereby people learn more about a culture in an insightful way.
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Habib alam Apr 24, 2017 06:36pm
Thank you Shan u have made life so much easier in Cleveland as well by cooking so much easy and fun.
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Xu Jiayin Apr 24, 2017 07:14pm
Thanks for your article on Chinese food. Chinese food is delicious because they are made of interesting ingredients which is uncommon in South Asia. You are welcome to China to taste our varieties. The real Chinese menus are prepared with animals that are not consumed in Pakistan such as dog meat, pork, variety of snakes, etc. We people of China enjoy eating all animals and insets available on earth including earthworm. If you are interested in Chinese food, you may try all our varieties.
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junaid Apr 24, 2017 07:35pm
Ahmmm, the beginning is giving a wrong message that Pakistani are not friendly, as all others families are getting together while this couple is alone. While its not the reality, if Pakistani knew there is some new neighbours, they always try to invite them. Rest TVC is best.
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Abdulla Hussain Apr 24, 2017 07:57pm
Beautiful ad, Shan has done it again, this time the taste got even better with our Chinese friend's cooking & gesture.
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Hafeez, Canada Apr 24, 2017 07:59pm
Well done . Shan foods products are through the world. Congratulations. Keep the quality high.
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zahid khan Apr 24, 2017 08:01pm
I really appreciate the theme beyond this adv.
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Leena Apr 24, 2017 08:06pm
In Saudi Arabia people prefer Pakistani spices over indian, Mehran is #1, Shan #2 and National Masala at #3 spot.
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Moin Kamal Apr 24, 2017 08:18pm
Food bring people closer and great AD. China has been a true and trusted friend. Shan food deserves all the Best Wishes.
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simmy Apr 24, 2017 08:39pm
this is making me hungry
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Rev. Eldrick lal Apr 24, 2017 08:41pm
What an inspiring commercial? Indeed, our cuisine is delicious and in any culture food plays a significant role. Saimna Peerzada's background voice is mellifluous.
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DW Apr 24, 2017 08:51pm
Nice
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Masood Apr 24, 2017 08:56pm
Very good and very touching ad. Made a whole lot of sense and can only happen in Pakistan. The effort by the Chinese lady and the hospitality of the Pakistani ladies is very well portrayed. Keep up the decent advertising SHAAN.
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CHARlie Apr 24, 2017 09:16pm
Love the ad , long live Pakistan China friendship and loved the samina peerzada's voice at the end.
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Rosebell eldrick Apr 24, 2017 09:18pm
Biryani is my most favorite food since I am from Karachi. The commercial is not only emotional but powerful. Pakistani cuisine is effervescent.
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Ratti Apr 24, 2017 09:42pm
Friendship via biryani. Why not?
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sAAR dEEPAK Apr 24, 2017 09:50pm
SHAN Noodles please..
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Zain Apr 24, 2017 09:55pm
Incredible and beautiful!
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muneeb Apr 24, 2017 10:18pm
So touchy add Spread love,respect and peace Long live pak china friendship
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yaba Apr 24, 2017 10:52pm
@lafanga - there's nothing of being 'soft power' in this. It would've been better or made better sense if this would've showed some pki families showing courtesy and welcoming, extending hospitality to their chinese friends.
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Arsalan fazal Apr 24, 2017 11:18pm
Awesome delivery.... Nice msg.
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ROHIT PANDEY Apr 24, 2017 11:40pm
Nice ad. Seen that brand here in local supermarkets in Toronto!:)
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uZAIR Apr 25, 2017 12:03am
@South Asia , soon will be selling in China too.
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SAMI Apr 25, 2017 12:17am
Nice ad. But this was 'made possible only by Indian actors'
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Muhammad Ali Apr 25, 2017 12:44am
A lovely concept but printed in a hurry to be the first to tap into the cpec wave. The surprising part is that the neighbour brings biryani and has to wait outside for approval till the taste is approved as an entry pass into the house i.e the family warmth is dependent on food tasting otherwise we arent that welcoming (the very tasty comment by the pakkistani neighbour ) so the gesture of cooking for neighbours is not an impactful idea rather a barrier to entry if the food is not tasty? And then we as a conservative society usually do not mingle much nor does the chinese culture have any such neighbourly love gestures - therefore an unrealistic and impractical ad.. it could have worked well showing chinese visiting a shan food stall and enjoyong biryani and making friends with people as really how many chinese neighbours have made an effort to meet anyone in reality (viceversa) - the broarder picture of the ad is appreciated alongside the idea but the context is confusing..
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Atif Apr 25, 2017 01:08am
That was beautiful I must say.
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Atif Apr 25, 2017 01:16am
@MJ You are correct. I guess you need women in the end to make strong relationships :P.
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BRR Apr 25, 2017 01:21am
Cheesy at best
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James Apr 25, 2017 01:23am
Good one
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Knowthetruth Apr 25, 2017 01:26am
Name it CPEC biryani.
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Faisal Siddiqui Apr 25, 2017 01:29am
Excellent advt
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El Cid Apr 25, 2017 01:53am
Wholesome pleasant constructive advert by Shan. Lovely Chinese lady. Very feminine. Loved it.
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Ajaz Rasul Apr 25, 2017 03:11am
Speak Punjabi and make friends....... Punjabi is a very friendly language..........
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VEGITO Apr 25, 2017 04:09am
@ROHIT PANDEY Do give the spice mix a try! They're key to some delicious dishes. Try Sindhi Biryani or the regular Biryani.
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Ek Pakistani Apr 25, 2017 04:32am
Something fresh and original after a while Good job
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JAn bahadur Apr 25, 2017 05:07am
Really? Ad didn't remotely resonate with me: The biryani with Shan masala could not have been that good to a Pakistani house where there are grandmas who could easily make the same biryani from scratch and tastier than a biryani from some boxed up masalas. Chinese woman should have fed some homeless ppl instead whose appreciation would have been more realistic.
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Albela Apr 25, 2017 05:17am
As part of CPEC,Chinese companies will soon be making masalas and flooding Pakistan markets with cheap masalas.Shan foods will then complain that Chinese are taking away their business.
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A shah Apr 25, 2017 05:43am
Very soon Pakistan will only be using chop sticks.
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midhat Apr 25, 2017 05:47am
@Ahmer theybalready have chinese vafriety of their masalas too, though I am not a big fan , but still you can give it a try.
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ANa malick Apr 25, 2017 06:29am
@Abbas yes. The one with no men.
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Amjad Apr 25, 2017 07:09am
Great marketing strategy China got a population of 1.3 billion. If Shan can penetrate it, Will be good for the bottom line.
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Spoc Apr 25, 2017 07:19am
Am I the only one to get this feeling, or are these characters a bit over emotional? Perhaps, like many other Shan ads.
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Afzal Apr 25, 2017 07:32am
Good, now import biryani from CPEC!
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Fredrick Apr 25, 2017 08:11am
My wife is from Karachi, Pakistan and she makes absolutely delightful biryani by using Shan Biryani Masala. Also, the commercial is portraying a optimistic message about Pakistan.
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NAJUM Apr 25, 2017 08:17am
They put a Chinese in a Shalwar Kameez. Are Pakistanis allowed be in mini-skirts for the Chinese ads?
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YAmir yatskin Apr 25, 2017 08:52am
This is called newspaper prompted advertising........!
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Ammad ud din Hafiz Apr 25, 2017 09:00am
Wow...
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Kunal majumdar Apr 25, 2017 09:29am
@Xu Jiayin: That's sure to scare the daylights out of every Pakistani foodie.
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Kunal majumdar Apr 25, 2017 09:32am
@Atif: Your Shan is very much available in India and Bangladesh. Dawaat ki Asha!
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Abdul 2 Apr 25, 2017 09:38am
Anyone realize pakistani women pushing and forcing chinese girl to sit down is very bad behavior and very bad manner. This is embarrasing.
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Arsalan UDDIN Apr 25, 2017 10:25am
The greatest fact about this Ad is that it is produced in CPEC cirtic India.
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South Asia Apr 25, 2017 11:19am
@Atif I have used their biryani and kabab masalas
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adventurer Apr 25, 2017 11:46am
Good one - with CPEC the craze for Biryani will increase amongst Chinese and lot more other products must follow as well.
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skumar Apr 25, 2017 11:58am
nice ad. Biryani is something too good and no one can refuse. By the way the billing clerk and bowler seems to be same guy !
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Lahori kid Apr 25, 2017 02:58pm
I don't mean to be offensive but why Pakistani women are depicted dumb in the ad? Like, they are throwing everything at her... drink this or that. And haven't they ate biryani before? I mean, I am all okay with the concept of the ad but the way it is portrayed is just so bad. When will we learn to make ads?
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Asif Akbar Apr 25, 2017 03:24pm
Ad for the sake of ad is good, nothing more but what about Pakistani people's efforts to befriend with others. Why aren't they shown as doing something for their new neighbors. And just by becoming known to Chinese people our progress in education ( just to mention, only one field) will not come. Our political set is worst,our judicial system is still lagging behind,our child labour problem,health care ,clean drinking water,unemploymen,Pollution,traffic violations,women respect etc,etc, all are to be addressed. Just one day back, Fire fighters took long hours in Anarkali,Lahore to save loss of billions (perhaps )
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MAli Apr 25, 2017 06:20pm
Cheesier than pizza hut's double cheese pizza with cheese filling in the crust topped with extra double cheese and served with a side of cheesy sticks and cheese sauce - chalou yeh tou sabit huwa ke Pakistanis kuch bhi chutt kar jaenge...
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Jamil Soomro, NEW YORK CITY Apr 25, 2017 06:23pm
Enjoyed very much watching this very well done Ad.
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Awan Apr 25, 2017 07:01pm
It's very good to interactions between two neighbors.we should work more to bring chinese people close and understand each other
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Xs Apr 25, 2017 10:02pm
Making really too much of an ad. Yes women and men both bond over food.
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Abc Apr 26, 2017 01:03am
The ad has to be good..after all it's made in India!
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Arshad, Canada Apr 26, 2017 02:05am
Ladies and gentleman, Our culture is another way around. We welcome our new neighbors. We do not wait for them to bring us offering first. Nonetheless a good advertisement.
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Rupa Apr 26, 2017 07:26am
The ad is sweet. But what self indulging self absorbing people,foreigner have to come to you cook your food dress like you and then you will make friendship. Why it's not other way around .Call Chinese friends home and then they love Biriyani so much that they want to make it as well.Why they have to make the first effort.I donot understand.
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A Manan Apr 26, 2017 03:25pm
It shows Shan commercials have come a long way from showing no faces to having half a dozen women in one commercial!
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Mubashir Khan Apr 26, 2017 04:23pm
it's Such a great message :) we really love you china
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Dr Munir Ahmad Apr 26, 2017 10:56pm
An excellent Adv. decently produced. Congratulation to production team and SHAN ...you already have WON!
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Shaukat Ali Apr 27, 2017 02:20am
The funny thing in the ad , the Pakistani neighbor only allowed her entry after certifying the Biryani was palatable. True hospitality should have been shown .
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Ali shabbir Apr 28, 2017 12:04pm
Soori #Google #Add ..your time's is over. Heart toching promo with such a great message.
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white noise Apr 29, 2017 09:34am
I wish Shan can do one Ad where Pakistanis and Indians share the same spirit as shown in this ad.
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Limca Man Apr 29, 2017 12:12pm
Is this Chinese family is still living in Pakistan?
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