Slapping appliances is not a solution, its time for a smarter choice.
There are days when the house seems to conspire against you. The washing machine stalls mid-cycle, the fridge hums but doesn't cool, and the television flickers between channels as if it has a mind of its own. It's always someone - an uncle, dad or a spirited flatmate, who steps forward, taps the side, then thumps it with just the right mix of hope and authority. “Bas, ek chaanta do. It'll work.” We smile because we've all seen it for ages. And have done it too.
Flipkart's new “Chaanta Classes” campaign takes this familiar slice of Indian life and turns it into a heart-warming, cheeky little story, with cricketer Harbhajan Singh as the no-nonsense ‘coach'. It's a scene you can hear and feel: that hollow thud on an ageing refrigerator, the collective sigh when the light still doesn't come on, and the good-natured stubbornness that says, “Try again; harder this time.” It's not just a joke; it's a memory many of us share, of growing up in homes where resourcefulness and humour were the first tools we reached for.
Also Read: Flipkart Republic Day Sale 2026: Dates, Deals, And Shopping Tips
In the campaign film, Harbhajan stands before a group of people determined to master the technique of the ‘rescue slap'. With straight-faced seriousness, he demonstrates the ‘right' way to thwack a reluctant appliance: firm but precise, confident but not reckless. The class follows. They slap. They wait. They slap again. And again.
There's a rhythm to it, a little like cricket practice, only this time, the pitch is a classroom, and the opponent is a stubborn machine that won't spring back to life. Bit by bit, the frustration creeps in. You can see it on Harbhajan's face: that familiar expression of a teacher watching their pupils try, and try again, without getting it quite right. So he does what any coach would do, steps in and takes matters into his own hands. He plants a solid, decisive hit on the refrigerator.
Silence. A hopeful second. And then, it malfunctions.
Of course it does. Because slapping doesn't fix appliances. It never really did. It was always our way of holding onto hope, of rescuing the day with whatever we had at hand. That's when Flipkart steps in, not to scold, but to help. The gentle nudge is simple: when things stop working, it's okay to stop struggling and start fresh.
The charm of “Chaanta Classes” lies in how it pulls us back into the middle of our homes, where we improvise, make do, and keep going. It celebrates that Indian instinct to fix things with a bit of jugaad, a bit of faith, and a lot of laughter. And it acknowledges something else too: the moment you realise it's time to let go.
If you've ever stood with a hand on a machine that just won't cooperate, you know the mixture of affection and frustration. You remember the day the fridge kept the ice cream from melting during power cuts. The washing machine did three heavy loads the night before guests arrived. The television that carried cricket commentary through a monsoon. We develop a relationship with our appliances because they share our daily grind. Replacing them isn't just a transaction, it's a small emotional shift, a small admission that life deserves an easier, kinder choice.
This Republic Day, Flipkart's message is not about showing off markdowns; it's about giving your home, and yourself, permission to move forward.

The Flipkart Republic Day Sale is the perfect moment for a fresh start at home.
Photo Credit: Flipkart
The Flipkart Republic Day Sale starts on January 17, 2026, with 24-hour early access for Flipkart Plus and Black members. It's the perfect time to make your home a bit more comfortable, a touch more modern, and a lot more dependable, especially when daily life is already demanding enough.
There's also a 10% instant discount on HDFC Bank Credit Cards, along with Easy EMIs on credit cards, which means you can spread out the cost without the stress. The idea isn't to splurge, but to pick your moment wisely and invest in the things that quietly carry your days.
Flipkart has teased three headline offers in the campaign video. On paper, they're discounts. In real life, they're answers to everyday frustrations.
For the home where laundry never seems to end, where your gym gear, kids' uniforms, and delicate saris all jostle for space, this is a chance to step up to a machine that's kinder on clothes and smarter with water and energy. Front loaders are typically quieter too, ideal for flats where noise travels. More than a machine, it's the gift of routines that run smoother.
If your current TV needs a tap every time you want the sound to cooperate, or the pixels blur just as the match gets interesting, this is your moment. A 55-inch 4K screen transforms family time: weekend films, news with dinner, grandparents catching their favourite serials, and cricket nights that feel like stadium evenings. It's not just entertainment; it's shared time, clearer, brighter, and wonderfully immersive.
A fridge that chills evenly, freezes quickly, and stores more is not a luxury in Indian kitchens, it's a sanity-saver. From leftover dal to next day's lunch, midnight fruit raids to sudden guest visits, a reliable refrigerator keeps the home humming. When a creaky old unit starts acting up, you don't just lose cool, you lose convenience. This price point makes the upgrade feel achievable.
There's a quiet maturity in knowing when to stop wrestling with what's broken. The “Chaanta Classes” don't mock anyone for trying; it embraces the effort and then offer a gentler and easier path. In many ways, that's what Republic Day feels like for so many of us: a reminder that renewal is part of progress. We honour where we've come from and choose, with intention, where we want to go.
Perhaps the best part about this campaign is Harbhajan himself. He isn't just a celebrity face; he's a familiar presence who's seen pressure, felt frustration, and learnt when to change tactics. Watching him lead the class, then finally throw up his hands in good-humoured exasperation, feels like watching an older brother concede with a smile: “The slap won't fix it. Let's do this the right way.”
When you shop during the Flipkart Republic Day Sale, you're not being flashy, you're being practical, even tender towards your future self. You're choosing fewer breakdowns, fewer midnight worries, fewer “Why isn't this working?” moments. You're choosing the soft whir of a quiet machine, the crisp clarity of a new screen, the reassuring cool of a fridge that simply does its job.
And you're choosing to leave behind the ritual slap, not because it wasn't part of our story, but because the story has moved forward.
So the next time your washing machine grinds to an unhelpful halt, or your fridge decides to take the afternoon off in peak winter sunlight, pause before the slap. Smile at the memory of all the times it seemed to work. Then do the kinder thing, for your home, for yourself. Let the old machine rest. Start anew with something that will serve you quietly, reliably, and without drama.
This Republic Day, Flipkart's “Chaanta Classes” gives us more than a laugh, it permits us. Permission to stop fighting broken things. Permission to choose comfort without guilt. Permission to make room for better days and better machines.
And if you do feel the itch to deliver one last ceremonious tap, go on, give the past a gentle pat. Then open the Flipkart app, and let the fresh start begin.
1. Why do people believe slapping appliances can fix them?
It's a cultural habit rooted in the idea that a quick tap might reset loose connections, but in reality, it rarely solves the problem.
2. When is the Republic Day sale in India?
Most major sales start around mid-January and run for several days leading up to Republic Day.
3. What kind of products are usually discounted during Republic Day sales?
Popular categories include home appliances, electronics, furniture, and fashion.
4. Are there any bank offers during Republic Day sales?
Yes, many sales feature instant discounts and EMI options through leading banks.
5. How can I get early access to Republic Day deals?
Early access is often available to premium members or loyalty programme subscribers.