The #LightItTogether activation, launched during the Deepavali season, encouraged Malaysians to light a virtual diya (lamp) via RHB’s Instagram page. Each diya emoji and hashtag shared contributed to the brightness of a virtual flame displayed on a DOOH screen at RHB Headquarters on Jalan Tun Razak.

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Eddy Nazrullah, creative director at IPG Mediabrands’ Azure, said, “Our goal was to create something simple yet meaningful — an experience that brought Malaysians together and showed how small individual acts can create something powerful. Deepavali marks the triumph of light over darkness, and this activation brings that to life, showing that unity is the brightest light we share.”

Abdul Sani Abdul Murad, group chief marketing officer of RHB Banking Group, added, “At RHB, we’ve always believed that progress isn’t a solo pursuit. It happens when people come together, each adding a spark of their own. What made this activation truly special was seeing people of all walks of life contribute, with every greeting, every emoji, and every name helping the flame burn brighter. It reminded us that unity isn’t just something we talk about; it’s something we create together. When we share the light, we all shine a little brighter.”

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As participants engaged on Instagram, their names appeared on the DOOH display, and the virtual flame grew brighter. The illumination reached its peak at midnight on the eve of Deepavali, symbolising collective togetherness and the festival’s theme of light over darkness. The progress was also documented through Instagram Stories, allowing people nationwide to witness their shared effort.

Held from October 17 to 24, 2025, the Light It Together campaign garnered strong engagement, highlighting how creative use of technology can inspire participation and unity during the festive season.

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Set during a lively Deepavali open house, the short film depicts a generational clash between an outspoken aunt and a young woman navigating adulthood. Their conversation, centred on familiar topics like marriage, appearance, and lifestyle choices, unfolds as a stylised “cowboy duel,” transforming their verbal exchange into a cinematic showdown. 

The tension shifts when a grandmother intervenes, revealing that beneath the surface of probing questions lies an authentic, if imperfect, expression of love.

Tzy Horng Sai, director of Julie’s Biscuits, said, “We are excited to present our first Deepavali short film, a thought-provoking project that speaks directly to the heart of what family means to us. Festive seasons often stir up family tensions from the past yet remind us that family can also unite us.”

They added, “The Duel explores these conflicting dynamics as opportunities to create deeper understanding. Our hope is that this short film will spark reflection and encourage viewers to see family interactions through kinder lenses and to embrace the different ways love is expressed across generations.”

The film was produced in collaboration with GOVT Singapore. Executive Creative Director Kevin Poh explained, “We wanted to tell a simple yet relatable story that most Malaysian Indians experience during their Deepavali house visits, where unspoken judgements from relatives surface. To bring these ‘silent’ judgements to life, we employed the metaphor of the good ol’ Western TV shoot-out to capture good festive fun, and to show how these old-fashioned and insensitive comments often stem from love and concern. The Duel hopes to remind us that we’re all still connected through tradition and love, even when we least expect it.”

The Duel is available for viewing on Julie’s official YouTube channel. To complement the festive mood, Julie’s is also highlighting its Butter Crackers, featured in the film, as a convenient and versatile treat for gifting or snacking during the celebrations.

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As Singapore continues its SG60 commemorations, the video brings together film, music, and meaningful messaging in a campaign that encourages Singaporeans to give back this Deepavali. 

At the heart of the video is the SG SHARE Programme by Community Chest, which supports vulnerable communities across the nation.

Directed by award-winning filmmaker S S Vickneshwaran, the narrative follows Kathir Kanth, portrayed by Jaynesh Isuan—a father who dreams of illuminating his home with dazzling lights. 

The cast also stars Nisha Kumar and Preihan Dinesh, portraying a heartfelt family preparing for the season.

Set to the original, foot-tapping track Dinga Dinga Dali, composed by Shabir Sulthan, the video invites audiences to learn the catchy ‘hook dance’ and post their versions on Instagram or TikTok using #BlockbusterDeepavali for a chance to be featured on gov.sg.

Mark Wong, CEO APAC of Hogarth Worldwide, shared, “This Deepavali music video reminds us that the brightest glow arises from a community united in spreading kindness and uplifting one another.”

Blockbuster Deepavali will premiere on gov.sg’s social media platforms from and will run on broadcast and digital channels throughout the Deepavali season.

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The film shows how the Deepavali celebration can become more meaningful by nurturing friendships. It follows the story of Raju, who is struggling to fix his lights before the festival until his neighbours help him find a solution.

Using a variety of visual and audio techniques, the film emphasises the different emotions of Raju as the story progresses. It especially focuses on the lighting as it first uses dimness before shifting to bright colours, further signifying the festival’s meaning.

When Raju’s lights are back, he shares his experience on social media, spreading how his Deepavali celebration was saved by his friends. 

The film captures the essence of the Deepavali celebration in the present context, incorporating relatable experiences. It also reflects Singtel’s commitment to connecting people while ensuring security to support its customers.

‘Lights Out’ has been released on Singtel’s social media channels, including Instragram, YouTube, and TikTok.

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Set against the backdrop of Deepavali, Inbam explores the bond between generations through the story of two sisters, Anjali and Lavinya. They embark on a mission to rekindle their Patti’s (grandmother) joy, reflecting on the profound happiness she experienced while making saris with her closest friends. As the sisters strive to revive these cherished memories, the film beautifully captures the essence of familial connections. 

Directed by Maurice of Director’s Think Tank, this lighthearted narrative encourages Malaysians to reflect on the traditions they hold dear and the intergenerational bonds that sustain them. It invites viewers to see Deepavali as an opportunity to reconnect with loved ones and celebrate shared joy. 

What sets ‘Inbam’ apart is its focus on the role of friendship and the innovative use of technology to bridge gaps across people, places, and generations. Against a vibrant cultural backdrop, the film embodies Malaysia’s unity, showcasing the diverse tapestry of the Malaysian identity. 

Moreover, ‘Inbam’ is a colourful tribute to the rich traditions and diverse cultures that define Malaysia. It reflects CelcomDigi’s commitment to preserving these traditions through meaningful connections. 

Vix Chandra, executive creative director at Naga DDB Tribal, said, “We hope this story resonates emotionally, prompting the audience to reflect on their own values and the bonds shared across generations—especially during Deepavali. When we recognise this connection, we understand that it’s not just our celebrations that shine bright, but our inner joy, our Inbam, ignited by the relationships we nurture.” 

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The new film is a loose adaptation of the ancient Indian epic of Ramayana that draws parallels between the experiences Malaysians are facing during these trying times with the battle against darkness. It urges the citizens to have ‘faith’ and ‘power’ in this journey towards recovery. 

Titled ‘Akka’, the web film features the main character Dheeya who goes on a journey of self-discovery. Along the way, she learns valuable life lessons that ‘love’ is also an act of responsibility. The film also shows how the values of ‘anger’ and ‘frustrations’ can be turned into a positive light through acceptance.

Datin Anita Azrina Abdul Aziz, Petronas’ senior general manager of group strategic communications, said that the pandemic remains a challenge for Malaysians this festive season, but it is also a time for ‘unity’ and celebration within the community.

“We at Petronas wish all Malaysians celebrating this Festival of Lights, Happy Deepavali. May light and love always prevail,” said Aziz.

In addition, Petronas also launched specially designed kolams – a form of traditional decorative art drawn using rice flour, which are being displayed at the Lingkaran Karak and Mutiara Damansara Petronas stations until 8 November 2021. The kolams, created by local artist Lashanya Rangoli, depict scenes from the web film.

The film is available for viewing on Petronas’ official YouTube channel and Facebook page.

Petronas has had animation as its main creative direction for its past brand films such as for the commemoration of Hari Raya, Thanksgiving Day, and Malaysia’s Independence Day.

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The new campaign, which was created together with advertising agency FCB Malaysia, tells the true story of Nisha Thayananthan, the reigning Miss Earth Malaysia, who is not just a beauty queen but also a doctor who fought in the frontlines amid the nation’s battle in the pandemic. 

Titled ‘The Inner Light’, the film features Thayananthan’s journey in discovering her ‘inner beauty’ after spending many of her growing-up years pursuing only what’s beautiful on the outside. Told through two separate timelines of her life – a teenage Thayananthan and the Thayananthan of today, the film highlights how Thayananthan’s mother, through her humanitarian work, inspired the beauty queen to embrace her inner beauty through a simple act of kindness.

Abdul Sani Abdul Murad, RHB Group’s chief marketing officer, shared that it may be an emotional coming-of-age film on the surface but that the film also aims to be a heartfelt tribute to the nation’s frontliners. 

“It’s important that we never forget the amazing efforts and contributions from the thousands of selfless heroes like Nisha that have helped us get back on our feet. Their acts are the true definition of ‘Together We Progress’,” said Murad.

Meanwhile, Tjer Wang, FCB Malaysia’s creative director, shared that it’s been a challenge at first to do Thayananthan’s story justice using two separate timelines.

“But thanks to the guidance and expertise from our production partners at D1 Productions and GT Records, we’re ecstatic that we managed to bring the whole idea to life,” said Wang. 

Ong Shi Ping, the co-owner and chief creative officer at FCB Malaysia, said, “Even as we are slowly rebuilding our lives and attempting to put the challenges of the pandemic behind us, we should always remember the kindness and selflessness that we’ve shared during our darkest times together, and then bring them along with us into the future.” 

The campaign is currently running across all RHB Bank’s social and digital channels.

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The film, created by agency Reprise Digital, follows protagonist Balan as he searches for the girl of his dreams. As he goes on his quest, Balan witnesses the myriad ways in which Deepavali is celebrated and learns to understand the different meanings of Deepavali for all those within the community.

Thanendran Thanesvaran, group commercial director and head of sports marketing at Reprise Digital, who also served as script writer for the film, explained that despite the film’s romantic theme, the backdrop really shows the idea of new experiences and togetherness manifested during the Deepavali festivities.

“The interesting thing we realised in this process is that different Indian communities have their own unique way of celebrating Deepavali, and each culture might not necessarily know much about another,” Thanesvaran stated.

The film was released on 25th October 2021 across digital platforms. It features seven different languages, including Indian languages Tamil, Telugu, Gujarati and Punjabi, something rarely done in a short film.

“While most festive films are longer, this was deliberately kept to under 3 minutes, with multiple languages used, to keep engagement up amongst all Malaysians. Though we had originally hoped to shoot it live, we hope the animation and lively music that has fused together different genres of Indian musical influences is one that will resonate with all Malaysians,” Thanesvaran added.

Meanwhile, Elina Baseri, head of corporate communication at Air Selangor, commented, “The greatest celebrations are those celebrated together, and Air Selangor is very pleased to share this message of community and hope to all Malaysians this Deepavali.”

She added, “The team at Reprise have portrayed a boy-meets-girl story that cleverly transcends cultures while showcasing the vibrancy of Indian cultures. From the story to the music used, the film breaks down cultural barriers and is a relatable one that we hope all of Malaysia will enjoy as much as we did in putting it together.”

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