Kalyan Jewellers withdraws controversial advertisment starring Amitabh Bachchan after bank employees protest

The advertisement features Bachchan as an old man and Shweta Bachchan Nanda as his daughter. In the ad, Bachchan, depicted as a person with integrity and honesty, is seen visiting a bank branch along with his daughter to return the extra money credited in his pension account and his bitter encounter with bank employees in the process.

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All India Bank Officers’ Confederation, an organisation claiming to have a membership of around 3,20,000 officers, last week threatened to sue Kalyan Jewellers accusing it of “casting aspersion and hurting the sentiments of millions of personnel” through the advertisement. Demanding an unconditional apology from the jewellery group, the AIBOC said if the advertisement was not withdrawn, suitable “organisational action, including dharnas and litigation” would be initiated.

The jewellery brand had earlier rejected the allegation, saying it was “pure fiction.” The brand does not intend to disrespect or malign any person or community’ before the advertisement,” it said.