Ever heard of surrogate advertising? It is the sort of advertising that uses a backdoor method of advertising for things that are otherwise not permitted to be advertised: soda /music CDs instead of alcohol for instance. Since the advertising of gutkha is illegal, manufacturers advertise ‘paan masala’ or elaichi (cardamom). This new Vimal paan masala or gutkha elaichi ad now features not only Ajay Devgn but also Shah Rukh Khan.
There are things celebs really ought not to endorse. Gutkha brands should not be endorsed, even if the product supposedly being endorsed is a flavoured spice. Now we see Ajay Devgn running around in London following a mysterious stranger while a song full of patriotic fervour plays in the background. He finally finds the mysterious stranger who turns out to be Shah Rukh Khan. The two exchange the weird two-fingered signal/salute we've seen in other Vimal ads.
People who are fans of either – or both actors perhaps liked it.
They seemingly endorse cardamom but what the target audience sees is a paan masala ad; a gutkha ad not to put too fine a point to it.
At least some of the star’s fans were not pleased with their idol doing an ad for something that essentially promotes a harmful habit.
Those streaks of red and orange can be seen in practically any public space thanks to all the gutkha and paan masala users and their disgusting habit of spitting anywhere and everywhere.
Getting these two big stars on the screen together is a big deal. Staggeringly large amounts would have been paid.
We had these two guys in Andaz Apna Apna which was also something of a casting coup.
Maybe the Big B Amitabh Bachchan himself?
The Vimal Cinematic Universe is here!
The fans of the two stars are now united, felt some of the tweeple.
Kajol may be Ajay Devgn's wife in real life, but she has played SRK’s love interest in many major films, recalled the tweeple.
When one’s idol promotes a brand, fans may end up doing this. It is not an unreasonable expectation.
Some of the products that Vimal produces contain tobacco and known carcinogens. Not only do they increase risk of cancer, they are also addictive.
Fans expected SRK to choose his endorsements with greater care.
SRK is possibly the biggest Indian star recognised worldwide. Many fans expected better of him.
Maybe it is, but the tweeple expressed their distaste for stars such as Ajay Devgn and now Shah Rukh Khan promoting a brand that produces harmful, addictive products.
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