Video of 'failed' proposal gets web talking

Proposal gone wrong or smart marketing stunt?

A new video making the rounds online appears to show a hapless romantic getting down on his knees and pledging his love to his girlfriend in public, only to be rejected in the most painful way possible: with a smack on a head.

However, reports suggest the proposal gone wrong is actually a staged viral stunt by chocolate giants Cadbury.

The video starts off in a crowded shopping mall (which some people are claiming is in Dubai), with our hero leading his lady-love to a central location with a group of buskers serenading the couple in the background.

Mid-way through his proposal, a toy train bearing the Cadbury Bournville logo and the message "Not So Sweet" suddenly cuts through.

Our Romeo then professes his love to his "janoo" (sweetheart) and his "sweety-pie" before getting down on his knees to almost propose.

But just as he is about to pop the question, the girl grabs a ukulele and smacks him across the head, before storming off, leaving him looking perplexed and rather embarrassed.

The person seemingly recording the video is then heard saying: "I really thought it was sweet", another reference to the Cadbury tagline.

The video has caused a storm online with thousands of views on YouTube and Facebook, with many dismissing it as fake and others sympathising with the man.

One observer argues the reaction of the crowd watching and the person filming is a dead give-away for the whole thing being scripted, but take a look for yourself and let us know in the comments.