India, Aug. 17 -- Flipkart wanted to draw attention to the final day of its Freedom Sale. Instead, its obituary-style print advertisement has triggered a debate over dark humour and how far brands should go to grab eyeballs.

The advertisement borrowed the visual language of obituary notices, placing photographs and personal details of individuals inside memorial-style boxes. However, it was Flipkart's deals, and not the people featured, that were supposedly nearing their end.

"We aren't sad at all," the advertisement said, adding that while the people featured would continue to live, Flipkart's deals would soon disappear.

The advertisement was released as Flipkart's Freedom Sale, which began on August 8 after early access opened a day ...