Tobacco Brouhaha. Ajay Devgn: It’s a Personal Choice. Akshay Kumar: I am sorry

MUMBAI (IANS) – Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar, who was recently seen in an advertisement of a tobacco brand along with Ajay Devgn and Shah Rukh Khan, has issued an apology for featuring in the commercial after it received flak from the netizens.

He wrote, “I am sorry. I would like to apologise to you, all my fans and well-wishers. Your reaction over the past few days has deeply affected me.”

Although the advertisement was for an ‘elaichi’ (cardamom) product, given the laws surrounding surrogacy marketing in India, it triggered a slew of memes and reels as people on the Internet dug up an old video of the ‘Bachchhan Paandey’ star where he can be seen promising that he would never work in a tobacco product advertisement.

Akshay wrote that he still stands by what he said in that particular video that surfaced on the Internet, “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. 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(sic)”, he concluded.

Meanwhile, Ajay Devgn, who is awaiting the release of his next film ‘Runway 34’, has defended his association with the brand.

Ajay has been associated with the brand for a long time so much that he has become synonymous with its tagline. As per a media report, during the press interactions for ‘Runway 34’, when the actor was asked about the advertisement, he defended himself by calling it a personal choice.

He also said that people often take up something after fully being aware of its repercussions at large. He mentioned that he was only promoting ‘elaichi’ and not a tobacco product.

He added that if such products cause an unnecessary stir then more than advertisements, the sale of such products should be put on hold.