Akshay Kumar apologises for endorsing tobacco brand after backlash, promises to be mindful in future choices
"I would like to apologise to you, all my fans and well-wishers. Your reaction over the past few days has deeply affected me. While I have not and will not endorse tobacco, I respect the outpouring of your feelings in light of my association with Vimal Elaichi. With all humility, I step back," Akshay Kumar tweeted.
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Mumbai, April 21: Faced with a huge backlash, actor Akshay Kumar on Thursday, announced that he is stepping down as the brand ambassador of a tobacco company with whom he had recently signed a contract.
"I have decided to contribute the entire endorsement fee towards a worthy cause. The brand might continue airing the ads till the legal duration of the contract that is binding upon me, but I promise to be extremely mindful in making my future choices. In return, I shall forever continue to ask for your love and wishes," he said.
The Vimal Elaichi ad has two more stars - Shah Rukh Khan and Ajay Devgn - embracing the tagline "Bolo Zubaan Kesari" in a foreign location.
The actor, in a social media post, in the early hours today, apologised for hurting the sentiments of people. Most Twitter users said that Akshay Kumar, known for fitness, was endorsing a product owned by what is a gutka brand.
"I'm sorry," the actor tweeted. "I would like to apologise to you, all my fans and well-wishers. Your reaction over the past few days has deeply affected me. While I have not and will not endorse tobacco, I respect the outpouring of your feelings in light of my association with Vimal Elaichi. With all humility, I step back," Akshay Kumar tweeted.
"I have decided to contribute the entire endorsement fee towards a worthy cause. The brand might continue airing the ads till the legal duration of the contract that is binding upon me, but I promise to be extremely mindful in making my future choices. In return, I shall forever continue to ask for your love and wishes," he said.
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The actor, however, did not mention what's the duration of the contract for the Vimal Elaichi ad. Some social media users had posted an older video of Akshay Kumar speaking about how he would not do a gutka ad. In the clip, he said while he has been offered several such ads, he would not feature in them as he believed in the concept of a "healthy India".
The Vimal Elaichi ad has two more stars - Shah Rukh Khan and Ajay Devgn - embracing the tagline "Bolo Zubaan Kesari" in a foreign location.