Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar has once again stirred up controversy after appearing in a new advertisement for the tobacco brand Vimal, alongside fellow actors Shah Rukh Khan and Ajay Devgn. The ad, featuring actor-model Soundarya Sharma as well, has garnered mixed reactions from fans and the online community.
In the ad, Shah Rukh Khan and Ajay Devgn are shown waiting for Akshay Kumar outside his house. However, Akshay remains engrossed in his music, oblivious to their presence. When Ajay honks the car horn, Shah Rukh attempts to get Akshay’s attention by tossing a ball toward his window, inadvertently hitting Soundarya Sharma’s window instead. Soundarya emerges on her balcony, visibly upset about the cracked window. Shah Rukh, in an attempt to evade responsibility, gestures toward Ajay Devgn as the culprit. Frustrated, Ajay opens a packet of Vimal product, consumes it, and points toward Akshay’s window. The enticing aroma of the product draws Akshay’s attention, and Ajay gestures for him to come downstairs. The ad concludes with all three actors showcasing the signature style of the Vimal brand.
However, the ad has triggered a wave of reactions on the internet, with many questioning Akshay Kumar’s decision to participate in yet another Vimal ad, given the previous backlash he faced for endorsing tobacco products.
Several social media users expressed their disappointment, with one stating, “Akshay will have to hear from the people. He had said he won’t do tobacco ads.” Another user questioned, “Akshay Kumar had said that now he will not do pan masala ads because his fans were not happy when he first did Vimal. Then why did he do this again?”
Some fans felt let down, with comments like, “Akshay Kumar was not going to do the Vimal ad, then what happened? What is this decision?” and “Unhappy, upset, he didn’t stick to his words.”
However, there were also speculations that the product featured in the ad might not necessarily be tobacco-related but could involve flavored betelnut.
This controversy comes after Akshay Kumar issued an apology earlier this year in response to the backlash he faced when initially endorsing Vimal. In April, he posted a note on Instagram, saying, “I am sorry…While I have not and will not endorse tobacco, I respect the outpouring of your feelings in light of my association with Vimal Elaichi.” He further pledged to contribute his entire endorsement fee to a worthy cause and promised to be more cautious in his future choices.
Akshay Kumar’s latest appearance in a Vimal ad has once again ignited a debate about celebrity endorsements and the impact they have on fans and public perception. The actor’s decision is likely to continue generating discussion and raise questions about the responsibility of public figures when it comes to endorsing products with potential health concerns.
Sources By Agencies
