Godrej Consumer Products Limited (GCPL) has launched a public service film titled ‘Machar Hai, Mehman Nahi’ as part of its CSR initiative Elimination of Mosquito Borne Endemic Disease (EMBED), aimed at raising awareness around mosquito-borne diseases and preventive practices.
The campaign addresses the continued prevalence of diseases such as dengue, malaria and chikungunya in India. According to national health data, over 1.13 lakh dengue cases were reported in 2025, highlighting the need for sustained awareness and preventive action.
Watch the film here:
The film is based on the insight that mosquitoes are often ignored as a routine presence in households. It draws on India’s cultural tradition of hospitality and contrasts it with the idea that mosquitoes should not be treated as guests. The campaign uses the line ‘Machar Hai, Mehman Nahi’ to emphasise this shift in perception.
The narrative also highlights common household conditions that contribute to mosquito breeding, such as stagnant water in coolers, uncovered containers and neglected spaces. It encourages families to adopt preventive measures to reduce risks.
Commenting on the film, Sudhir Sitapati, MD and CEO, Godrej Consumer Products Limited, said, “Mosquito-borne diseases remain a major public health concern. It requires collective awareness and sustained behavioural change. Through ‘Machar Hai, Mehman Nahi’ we wanted to use a cultural insight that resonates deeply with Indian households. By rethinking the idea of hospitality, we hope to inspire people to take simple but effective preventive steps that keep their homes and communities safer.”
Creative storyteller Swati Bhattacharya, who conceptualised and wrote the campaign film, said, “ In India, hospitality is not just a tradition - it is an instinct. Just like we welcome guests, we also welcome mosquitoes with stagnant water and open rubbish bins. Lets unfriend the mosquito and have an anti-hospitality qawwali - machhar hai mehmaan nahin.”
The campaign will be extended through a multi-channel awareness programme, including school engagement initiatives, community outreach, wall art installations across Maharashtra, radio storytelling and a digital campaign encouraging citizens to ‘Unfriend the Mosquito’.
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