Bidi

The 1950s in India were all about style and swagger, and the humble bidi was at the center of it. This image perfectly captures the era’s love for dramatic flair, with a sharply dressed man lighting up like he’s starring in a Bollywood film. Back then, the bidi wasn’t just a smoke—it was a lifestyle accessory, marketed with bold slogans and flashy designs to make it the ultimate symbol of rugged coolness.

Before anti-smoking campaigns became a thing, bidi advertisements leaned hard into glamour and community vibes. The marketing was loud, colorful, and sometimes downright hilarious, turning a tiny hand-rolled cigarette into the epitome of sophistication. Looking at this image now, it’s both amusing and a little absurd—a snapshot of a time when the bidi was king of the streets and everyone wanted to strike a pose like this guy.