'Beat them': Mukesh Khanna slams SRK-Akshay for endorsing pan-masala
Veteran actor Mukesh Khanna has criticized Bollywood stars Akshay Kumar, Shah Rukh Khan, and Ajay Devgn for endorsing pan masala products in advertisements. In a recent candid interaction with Bollywood Bubble, Khanna urged these actors to stop promoting harmful products and gambling applications through surrogate advertisements. He also expressed his disappointment over their involvement in such ads despite being health-conscious themselves.
'I have even scolded Akshay Kumar...'
Khanna said, "If you ask me, I'd say, inko pakad ke maarna chaahiye (catch them and beat them up). I have told this to them. I have even scolded Akshay Kumar." "He is such a health-conscious man otherwise, and...now Shah Rukh Khan is going down the same path." "Crores of rupees are spent on making these ads. And what are you teaching the people? (They say) we are not selling pan-masala, they say it's supari (beetle nut)," Khanna added.
Khanna highlighted the negative impact of surrogate advertising
The Shaktimaan actor further highlighted the negative influence of surrogate advertising on the public. He said, "When you do a Kingfisher ad, it means you are selling Kingfisher beer. Everybody knows it, it is called deceptive ad." Khanna questioned why these actors need to endorse such products considering their wealth. He said, "Some actors have retrieved it, Akshay is one of them...But, till this date, crores of rupees are spent on making these ads...You are teaching people to consume guthka!"
'Never done ads for cigarettes, pan masala'
Khanna revealed he has never accepted offers to promote harmful products like cigarettes and pan masala despite lucrative offers. He said, "Never in my life have I done ads for things like cigarettes and pan masala. Yes, mota paisa offer hota hai (they offer you big money). There were offers, but such things are bad and I cannot promote them." "And I request all these big actors, 'Sir, people look up to you...please don't do this'."
Khanna also criticized actors for promoting gambling apps
Khanna also expressed his annoyance with actors endorsing gambling and betting apps. He pointed out that these ads generate significant revenue for YouTube, despite betting being prohibited by the government. "I have seen lots of character artists, from Shakti Kapoor, to everyone, they say, 'Money will be credited to your bank account directly', Kapil Sharma also does these ads...It has become a matter of pride for new actors and actresses to feature in these ads."
