Fans of Bollywood stars Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn, and Tiger Shroff are buzzing with reactions after the trio appeared in a new advertisement for Vimal Elaichi. This new ad marks Tiger Shroff's debut with the brand, replacing Akshay Kumar, who stepped down last year amidst controversy over the promotion of pan masala products through surrogate advertising.
The commercial shows Shah Rukh Khan and Ajay Devgn caught in traffic in a quaint town, soon joined by Tiger Shroff in a playful battle involving the product, much to the amusement of onlookers, including actress Amyra Dastur. The scene concludes with the stars driving away together, leaving fans amused and dubbing the ensemble the ¡®Vimal Cinematic Universe¡¯ or VCU.
Online, while some fans have taken a lighter note, with comments like 'Bade Miyan left' and 'Chote Miyan joined,' there is also a section of people who think these two 'old' people (pointing out SRK ad AJay) are misleading Indian youth like Tiger Shroff to the wrong path.?
Despite the humour, the ad continues to stir debate over celebrity endorsements of products linked to harmful substances like tobacco.
Akshay Kumar had previously faced backlash for his association with the brand, leading to his apology and withdrawal from the campaign, citing respect for public sentiment and a commitment to contributing his endorsement fee towards a charitable cause.
Ajay Devgn, on the other hand, has continued his association with the brand despite similar criticism. The concept of surrogate advertising has been under scrutiny, as it involves promoting banned products indirectly, a tactic that other celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan have also backed away from following public outcry.
This mix of humour and controversy highlights the ongoing tension between celebrity influence and public health advocacy, raising questions about the role of popular figures in promoting products and the responsibilities they carry towards their audience.
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