Anoop Menon fined for ad 'falsely' promoting hair growth; claims it was brand's 'story'

Malayalam film actor Anoop Menon was fined after his advertisement for a hair care brand invited legal trouble for ‘false promises’ of hair growth. He and the brand Dhatri have been asked to pay Rs 10,000 each to a consumer from Thrissur. Menon stated that the advertisement was the company’s 'story' and that he only used the oil prepared by his mother.

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Anoop Menon fined for hair growth ad 

As per reports, a consumer named Francis Vadakkan had, in 2012, moved the Thrissur Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission against Dhatri, Anoop Menon and others involved in the advertisement for “deficiency in service”. He stated that he had bought the product for Rs 376  after watching Anoop Menon’s ad and claimed that he did not experience any ‘positive change’ after using the product. Vadakkan stated that he had become “laughing stock of society” as his relatives made fun of him for buying the product, and demanded Rs 5 lakh compensation for humiliation and emotional distress. 

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In the complaint, he cited statements made by Anoop Menon in the advertisement like hair growth being ‘guaranteed’, that  results will be ’threefold’ within six weeks, that his hair grew ‘nicely’ after using the hair cream, while ‘recommending’ it to anyone for ‘luscious hair’. 

Anoop Memon’s claim that the ad was published without his consent was dismissed by the Commission The Thirakkatha star then claimed that he had promoted ‘hair protection’ and not ‘hair growth’. He stated that he had shot for the advertisement, though he ‘didn’t ‘know the ad’ and that it was 'their story.’

The Thrissur Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission came down over the advertisement and expressed displeasure about the endorser not even using the product before promoting it. It also rejected the argument that ayurvedic products provided different results for different people, as claimed in the brochure. The  

The Commission slammed ‘exploitation’ in advertisements instead of guiding the consumers. The order that was released on December 29, 2020, over eight years after the complaint.   

The pharmaceutical store A One medicals, that sold the product, was also fined Rs 3000 by the Commission.

Meanwhile, Dhatri issued the following statement:

"All Dhathri Ayurveda products undergo extensive clinical studies conducted by independent labs and the results are registered with the Clinical Trial Registry of India (CTRI). This dispute pertains to an advertisement that appeared in 2012, around the product Dhathri Hair Protector, and the case was registered in 2012. The disputed advertisement has not been used for many years now. However, the company vigorously defends its claims as they have scientific backing and the Dhathri Hair Protector is registered with CTRI holding the number CTRI /20L3/OS/003644. Dhathri Ayurveda is committed to providing authentic and effective wellness solutions manufactured under the most stringent quality standards and all advertisement claims where applicable have the complete backing of scientific evidence.”

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