Duo, Jackie Shroff and a streaming twist—Duolingo gets quirky

Language learning app Duolingo has collaborated with Amazon MX Player to bring a fun twist to ‘edu-tainment’. They unveiled a classic brand film starring Bollywood’s Bhidu (dude), Jackie Shroff, and the internet’s favourite mascot, Duo.

The film follows Shroff, who relies on Duo to help him order food at a restaurant where he is unfamiliar with the language. However, Duo encourages learning the language instead of changing the audio settings, showcasing a quintessential blend of entertainment and edutainment.

Shroff mentions how ‘Duolingo pe bhasha seekh, aur Amazon MX Player pe maze le’ (Learn a language on Duolingo and have fun on Amazon MX Player) helps him in real life while watching Korean, Turkish, and Mandarin shows available on Amazon MX Player.

Speaking on the collaboration, Karandeep Singh Kapany, Regional Marketing Director, Duolingo, said "We are committed to making language learning accessible and enjoyable for all. We recognise the growing appetite for international content in India and are always seeking innovative ways to engage with our learners. By combining Duolingo's language expertise with Amazon MX Player's vast entertainment platform, we’re creating a unique ‘edu-tainment’ experience that makes learning a new language fun, convenient, and truly rewarding."

Aruna Daryanani, director of Amazon MX Player, added, “At Amazon MX Player, we aspire to engage our audiences by collaborating with brands to create these unique, unconventional brand films. Working with Duo has been a delightful experience, and partnering with Duolingo will allow us to blend entertainment with utility, making streaming even more engaging. We look forward to more creative efforts that bring our users fresh, entertaining content for free.”

Campaign’s take: What do a silent green owl, Bollywood’s ultimate Bhidu, and an OTT platform have in common? Apparently, a language lesson. In Duolingo’s latest collaboration with Amazon MX Player, Jackie Shroff struggles with a foreign-language menu, only to be nudged by Duo to learn, not switch audio settings.

Shroff’s street-smart swagger and irreverent humour elevate the ad, especially when he checks for ‘subtitles’ in real life. His endorsement—‘Duolingo pe bhasha seekh, aur Amazon MX Player pe maze le’—positions Duolingo as the go-to tool for navigating global content.

But this collab is far from predictable. A language app teaming up with a free streaming service? It’s a curveball that sparks curiosity about Amazon MX Player’s future brand pairings. Bold or bizarre, this campaign ensures viewers remember one thing—whether watching K-dramas or ordering dinner, Duo’s got your back.