A report stating he had returned as the ambassador of a paan masala company was labelled “fake news” by superstar Akshay Kumar, who says he had distanced himself from the product after publicly withdrawing his sponsorship last year.
On Monday, an online publication uploaded an article on X with the caption: “#AkshayKumar returns as the ambassador of Vimal Pan Masala; appears in the new commercial with #AjayDevgn and #ShahRukhKhan.”
Akshay, who announced his plan to leave the firm in April 2022, stated that the ads were shot in 2021.
“‘Returns’ as ambassador? Here’s some fact check for you Bollywood Hungama, if by chance you are interested in things other than fake news. These ads were shot on 13th October, 2021. I have not had anything to do with the brand ever since I publicly announced the discontinuation of the endorsement. They can legally run the already shot ads till the end of next month. Chill and do some real news,” the 56-year-old wrote on X in response to the report.
Credits: X (Twitter) @akshaykumar
Following the release of the brand’s current ad on Sunday evening, a portion of social media users called out Akshay for being a “hypocrite.” Others backed him up, claiming that the ad was shot before he resigned as a brand ambassador.
The actor’s comment was then added to the portal’s story.
Last year, Akshay received criticism for supporting the brand, with social media users uncovering an old video in which he vowed never to promote tobacco.
Following the outrage, the actor published a message apologising to fans for his participation in the advertising campaign. The brand may continue to show the advertising until the “legal duration of the contract that is binding upon me,” he added.
https://x.com/akshaykumar/status/1516862694833360897?s=20