Marketing is always a game of opportunity and brands are seen getting involved in a race to grab the latest headline or development to make use of it.

After ‘zaalima’ turned many heads – and various tea and beverage brands responded in kind, Shan Foods has unveiled its latest ad, showing their take on the burgeoning Sino-Pak friendship that has seen its fair share of ups and downs.

When a Chinese couple moves into town, they find settling in and making friends a daunting task. “It’s not easy; we don’t even eat the same food,” the despondent wife tells her husband over a bowl of ramen noodles.

And then it hits her.

She hurries to the supermarket – on way checking recipes of Pakistani food – and buys a pack of Shan Foods’ biryani masala. Putting great effort in cooking it, she manages to cook a steaming hot pot of biryani, swings the dupatta over her head, and rings the neighbours’ bell nervously.

It turns out to be a hit! After all, who can say no to a piping hot, full-of-masala pot of biryani?

Considering the progression of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and advancements at the Gwadar port, it’s no surprise that a marketing agency used it to their gain.

Social media, without ado, responded to the new TVC. Here’s what people have to say:

Brilliant Ad by Shan Foods.#KhaanaWithParosi
Pakistan-China Friendship
pic.twitter.com/UO5HN2JEBU

— Mansoor A.Qureshi (@MansoorAhmedQu2) April 24, 2017

And the brand wars begin. #PizzaNahiBiryani #Shan pic.twitter.com/HBvhmireH8

— Hina Safdar (@hinasafi) April 25, 2017

A new chapter in Pakistan Studies: The CPEC-ization of our spices. #fail #ShanFoods pic.twitter.com/VWW648JgKt

— Naila Inayat (@nailainayat) April 25, 2017

#ShanFoods! Taking #CPEC way too seriously! :D

— Arsalan Ahmed (@arsalanahmedk) April 23, 2017

#KhanaWithPardosi @ShanFoods what an amazing ad ..
One of the best ads ever ... 
Loving it . #ShanFoods #KhaanaWithParosi  #pakchina 

— Adnan Rajput (@Pr1ncejerry) April 23, 2017

@ShanFoods new Ad shows chinese khatoon bringing biryani to Pakistani home in Lahore. CPEC all the way #KhushiyanChakhLo

— Hamayoon Abbasi (@sardarhumi643) April 24, 2017

Mixed feelings about this new Shan foods commercial something's just not right #Pakistan

— Arslan (@mylifeinjaypeg) April 23, 2017

Shan foods ad was bit offensive, its been decades but lahoris still can't cook biryani, but Chinese women cook it in her 1st attempt.

— syed ahmed mustafa (@sa_mustafa) April 25, 2017

Dear advetisers of @ShanFoods, its not a ball. Its my emotions. Stop playing with it  #Shan #KhaanaWithParosi

— Dexter Sahab (@ZeerakIbrah) April 25, 2017

To all going gaga over the Shan Foods ad - you know 'cooking' isn't the only way women bond right?

Ok. Good.

— Hamna Zubair (@hamnazubair) April 24, 2017

If tht Shan Foods ad was based in Karachi, the Chinese woman wouldd've gotten mugged on the way & desi family would've insulted her biryani

— Ranting Pakistani (@RantsPakistani) April 25, 2017

Check out the TVC here: