Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan has sent a legal notice to a pan masala brand. Despite Big B canceling the contract, the actor's advertisement continued to air on television. Angered by this, Amitabh Bachchan has sent a legal notice.
Notice sent to Kamala Pasand Pan Masala Company
Actor Amitabh Bachchan, 79, had terminated his contract with the Kamala Pasand Pan Masala company saying it "fell under surrogate advertising. Despite this, the company did not stop airing the advertisement on TV. On Monday, a legal notice was sent to pan masala maker Kamala Pasand.
Why did Big B cancel the contract?
Surrogate advertising refers to advertisements that promote banned products such as cigarettes, tobacco, or alcohol in the form of any other product. It was reported that Bachchan had canceled his contract with the brand after he was asked by a national anti-tobacco organization to refrain from promoting pan masala to help keep youth away from tobacco. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), tobacco use is "one of the leading causes of death and disease in India and the cause of approximately 1.35 million deaths every year".
Amitabh got furious for airing advertisement on TV
A legal notice was sent to the tobacco product manufacturer as it continued to air Bachchan's advertisements despite the termination of the contract. A statement given by Bachchan's office to ETimes said Amitabh Bachchan has terminated the contract with the brand, written to him for termination of the advertisement, and has also returned the money received for the promotion.
Big B's staff gave this information
It was earlier reported by Amitabh Bachchan's office that Kamala Pasand... Bachchan approached the brand a few days after the ad aired and walked out of it last week. Upon investigation of this sudden move - it turns out that when Mr. Bachchan was associated with the brand, he was not aware that it came under surrogate advertising.
This clarification was given by Amitabh Bachchan
The ad in question is a surrogate and "silver coated elaichi" to Kamala Pasand, but it drew criticism on social media as it aired in mid-September. Bachchan had earlier defended himself saying that taking up the project helps both the cast and other employees of the entertainment ecosystem.
