An Army veteran says men can cry. Why this ad is going viral

Released on International Men's Day (November 19), a new advertisement by Gillette attacks the age-old stereotype of 'men don't cry'. The ad that is being widely shared by celebrities and others tackles the gender stereotype through the real life story of Lt. Colonel Manoj Kumar Sinha.

As Sinha narrates his story of courage, we see visuals to back it. As the ad begins, he recalls a childhood memory of his father, an Air Force officer, telling him that 'boys don't cry'. And this was a lesson Sinha carried with him throughout his life, and onto the battlefield. And he continues to put up a brave face despite being dangerously injured in the battlefield. The most touching moment of the advertisement is the moment where his father visits him in the hospital, and both the men hug each other and break down. “Showing what you really feel doesn't make you less of a man. Raising a strong boy also meant telling him it was OK for a boy to cry,” he says.

Sharing the video, Sachin Tendulkar wrote: “6 years ago, I remember crying in front of the nation. Shedding tears made me feel human, made me feel complete. Tears only make us stronger.”

Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput tweeted: “Men have emotions too so don't be shy to cry. It's okay to let it out and not hold it inside. It's not a weakness but a sign of strength. Be man enough to feel. Feeling is human.”

Actress-author Twinkle Khanna, Malayalam actor Dulquer Salmaan were among others who tweeted the video.