Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar recently took to his Instagram handle to apologize to his fans and well-wishers for his association with a pan masala brand.
Akshay Kumar’s apology
After encountering severe backlash from the netizens for being part of an advertisement for a tobacco brand, actor Akshay Kumar has now apologized and stepped down as the brand ambassador of the company’s product.
Taking to his social media handles, Bollywood Khiladi, while announcing his decision to discontinue the tobacco brand, apologized to his fans as he penned a note saying, “I am sorry. I would like to apologize 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.” He further adds that the fee he has received for doing the ad will be donated to a worthy cause.
Fee towards a worthy cause
Further, he also stated that he will be mindful in the future before picking up any such advertisements. “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 wrote.
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) April 20, 2022
Akshay Kumar was the latest Bollywood star to join the pan masala brand alongside Ajay Devgn and Shah Rukh Khan. All three superstars shared the screen space. However, the advertisement did not go well with Akki’s fans. They even shared an old video of him in which he had spoken about his uneasiness about endorsing alcohol, cigarettes, and other products.
Height of Hypocrisy@akshaykumar
where are your moral standards now. not expected this. Lacs of people following you.@alluarjun he set an example to reject the offer for guthkha. #VimalPanMasala #Vimalelaichi pic.twitter.com/BPJrlcKpzp
— Ask2CA Vipul Y 🇮🇳 (@CAvipul11) April 20, 2022