It's Controversial/ Akshay Kumar Faces Flak for Reappearance In Paan Masala Ad

Akshay Kumar faced immense backlash from netizens for endorsing a paan masala brand. The Mission Raniganj actor had earlier vouched to never promote tobacco but went on to feature in an advertisement for Vimal with Ajay Devgn. After coming under fire for endorsing the brand, he promised to dissociate himself from it and issued an apology.

However, a new Vimal Elaichi ad featuring Akshay with Soundarya Sharma has gone viral on social media.

2 things you need to know

• After promising to disassociate from the paan masala brand, Akshay shared that the endorsement fee would be contributed towards a worthy cause.
• Before him, Amitabh Bachchan was also criticised for endorsing a paan masala brand.

(Akshay Kumar's latest release is Mission Raniganj | Image: Instagram)

New advertisement feat Akshay draws backlash

A new advertisement has surfaced on social media in which Akshay Kumar was seen endorsing the brand he had disassociated with in the past. In the clip, he featured alongside two of his contemporary actors. Reality show fame Soundarya Sharma is also seen in a separate cut. In the new ad, the Mission Raniganj star did not hold the product in his hand.  

Social media erupted with angry reactions after seeing Akshay in the ad. "Pls be responsible and don't advertise any addictive products (sic)," a netizen commented. Another one wrote, "Paiso ke liye kuch bhi kr sakta hai .. Akshay Kumar (sic)."

Mahadev app puts spotlight on celeb endorsements

The recent expose of the Mahadev app scam saw several celebrities like Ranbir Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor, Kapil Sharma and Huma Qureshi coming under the ED scanner for endorsing the company in the virtual (online) space. The Mahadev App, running operations from Dubai, UAE since 2017, provided platforms for illegal betting in virtual games like poker, teen patti, cricket, tennis etc. It was allegedly using the online book betting application to enroll new users, create IDs and launder money through a layered web of benami bank accounts.

(Actors have faced backlash for their involvement in Mahadev App scam | Image: X)

Ranbir Kapoor, Huma Qureshi, Kapil Sharma and Shraddha Kapoor have endorsed the company and received payment in return, the source of which is said to be through hawala channels. Additionally, 14-15 celebrities attended the wedding of one of the prime accused in the case in Dubai. They will be questioned by the ED in the coming time.