‘Hypocrisy’: Akshay Kumar features in new surrogate pan masala ad with Ajay Devgn, Shah Rukh, a year after apologising and ‘stepping back’ as brand ambassador

The new commercial didn’t go down well with netizens, who questioned the involvement of the star with a tobacco brand even after he had distanced himself from it after announcing it on Twitter. Many called out the “hypocrisy” of the actor and slammed him for appearing in the same.

“You had said that you won’t work for this brand, existing ads will continue to air till its date, will donate money you got out of this for something noble cause. How come there is a new add with you in it?” a Twitter used wondered.

While a section called out Akshay, his fans defended the star stating that the ad was likely shot before he had even apologised on Twitter and would continue to air till the legal duration of the contract, which Akshay had also mentioned in his apology.

“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. 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,” he had said.

Ajay Devgn, meanwhile, had called promoting the brand a ‘persona choice’ in a separate interaction. “When you do something, you also see how harmful it would be. Somethings are harmful, some are not. I would say it without naming it because I don’t want to promote it; I was doing elaichi. What I feel is more than advertisements, if certain things are so wrong, then they should not be sold,” he had told media.