Akshay Kumar has faced criticism on social media following the release of his latest commercial. In the ad, the actor is seen promoting a pan masala brand alongside Shah Rukh Khan and Ajay Devgn. However, a year ago, Akshay had issued an apology for endorsing the same pan masala brand, and his new ad has stirred controversy on the internet.
The new commercial didn’t sit well with netizens, who raised questions about the actor’s association with a tobacco brand, especially after he had distanced himself from it and publicly acknowledged it on Twitter. Many accused him of hypocrisy and criticized his decision to appear in the ad.
“Some do everything for money, and there’s nothing wrong with that. If you’re bothered by hypocrisy, you have to learn to ignore it. Bollywood is full of hypocrites. Enjoy them as actors, not as role models,” one user commented on X.
Another user expressed, “In the film industry, there are only a few individuals who refrain from actions that negatively impact the youth and their families. Most of them seem ready to do anything for extra profit. These people can’t be fully trusted. Avoid being influenced by them. Why do they promote such products when they already have so much? It’s disheartening to see innocent people being swayed. Haven’t they been blessed enough already?”
The third user wrote, “Kamse kam SRK bolta toh hai woh ads paiso ke liye karta hai, ye Akshay se bada dogla aaj tak nahi dekha”
While some criticized Akshay, his fans defended him by suggesting that the advertisement was likely filmed before he issued his apology on Twitter. They also pointed out that it would likely continue to air until the contractual period expired, a fact that Akshay had addressed in his apology statement.
Akshay had previously stated, “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. I have decided to contribute the entire endorsement fee towards a worthy cause. The brand might continue airing the ads until the legal duration of the contract that binds me, but I promise to be extremely mindful in making my future choices.
