Rival football teams, a 30-year grudge and a mother’s surprise: Astro’s Deepavali ad tugs at heartstrings

Astro's TVC message is that beyond rivalries, misunderstandings and the desire to win, family bonds, friendship and togetherness are what truly matter. — Picture courtesy of Astro Ulagam

By Malay Mail

First Published: Sunday, 15 Nov 2026 8:55 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 15 — A neighbourhood football rivalry that lay dormant for 30 years, and the family secret behind it, are at the heart of Astro’s Deepavali television commercial (TVC) this year.

Titled Ondrinainthu Kondaduvom after the broadcaster’s Deepavali theme, the TVC follows two neighbouring taman as they come together to revive a football tournament that had been put on hold for three decades because of a misunderstanding.

The reunion match starts with plenty of laughter, friendly tackles and hilarious chaos. Then comes an unexpected twist: the two rival sides are actually brothers.

Their mother then turns up at the match. Her arrival brings emotions to the surface and eventually reunites the family.

The TVC’s message is that beyond rivalries, misunderstandings and the desire to win, family bonds, friendship and togetherness are what truly matter, and that Deepavali is about bringing people together, celebrating old friendships and creating new memories.

A story about a 30-year wait comes in a milestone year for the broadcaster, which is celebrating its own 30th anniversary.

“As Astro celebrates 30 years of serving and connecting Malaysians, Deepavali remains a meaningful occasion for us to bring people together through the power of entertainment,” Astro Indian Customer Business vice-president Prem Anand previously said in a statement.

The TVC is the latest in Astro’s yearly Deepavali campaigns, each built around a festive theme. The broadcaster celebrated with the theme ‘Kondaduvom Semmaiyaga Kondaduvom’ in 2024.

Last year’s theme, ‘Ithu Namma Kondattam’, saw it join hands with RTM for the very first time to co-produce a Deepavali concert, Titikkum Deepavali Kondattam 2025. 

The TVC, which can be watched in full on Astro Ulagam’s YouTube channel, had drawn more than 10,000 views at the time of writing.

Its festive campaigns have also drawn industry attention. Marketing-Interactive listed Astro Malaysia and Astro Ulagam among its Deepavali campaigns that lit up our feeds in 2025. marketing-interactive

This year’s campaign was backed by up to 75 hours of festive content. It included local Tamil productions such as the concert Deepavali Kondattam, game show Savalai Samaali, telemovies Adaikalam and Maya Oviyan, and family drama series Kadhal Unfollow.

Astro also introduced Sony VIZHA (CH 220), a new Tamil entertainment channel featuring dramas, reality programmes, movies and festive specials from India.

International premieres included the Tamil sports comedy Gatta Kusthi 2, the Malayalam supernatural film Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra and the Telugu action film Kuberaa.

The full TVC can be watched on Astro Ulagam’s YouTube channel.