Social media backlash over Vimal ad puts Akshay Kumar on the backfoot

He has become the most bankable actor in recent times and an unofficial spokesperson for the Government’s major schemes such as ‘Swachch Bharat’, toilets for all, menstrual hygiene, On top of it, he is a major fitness influencer and well known for following a clean and healthy lifestyle. Therefore, when Akshay Kumar appeared in a Vimal ad, a brand known for its pan masala, it came as a huge shock to his fans.

It is not surprising that people took to social media to vent their ire on seeing the popular actor endorsing a pan masala brand, even though the ad is about Vimal Elaichi. The latest Vimal ad also features fellow Bollywood stars Ajay Devgn and Shah Rukh Khan. While both these stars are also known to be fitness enthusiasts, but they are also known smokers, hence no backlash as such. But Akshay Kumar bore the brunt of the backlash, even as Devgn and SRK welcomed him to the ‘Vimal Universe’ in the ad.

Taking cognizance of the heavy social media trolling, in a lengthy tweet, Akshay Kumar apologised to his fans and said that he is stepping back from the ad and has “decided to contribute the entire endorsement fee towards a worthy cause”.

Continuing further, he assured his fans, “I promise to be extremely mindful in making my future choices.”

🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/rBMZqGDdUI

— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) April 20, 2022

One is reminded of the controversy in 2016 when James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan was roped in for an ad by pan masala brand Pan Bahar. The ad, which showcased the international actor in his spy mode, was heavily criticised and Brosnan also came under a lot of flak. The Delhi government had even issued a show-cause notice to the actor. Following the media storm, Brosnan said that he was “cheated” by Ashok & Co, the parent company of Pan Bahar brand, and added that he was not made aware of the hazardous nature of the product and that he was told it was a mouth freshener and tooth whitener.

On the other hand, no other actor has faced any flak for appearing in pan masala ads. Way back in the 80s/ 90s veteran actors Shammi Kapoor and Ashok Kumar had appeared in a Pan Parag ad.

Over the years, a plethora of well-known actors have appeared in pan masals ads. Amitabh Bachchan has appeared in a Kamla Pasand ad. Salman Khan has appeared inan ad for Rajshree Pan Masala. Hrithik Roshan has been featured in an for Dilbagh Pan Masala. Priyanka Chopra has appeared in an ad for Rajnigandha Silver Pearls silver coated elaichi, and so has Anushka Sharma. Tiger Shroff and South star Mahesh Babu have appeared in ad for Pan Bahar.