Akshay Kumar quits as tobacco brand ambassador, offers to donate his ad fee to charity

Recently, Akshay Kumar was criticized for his association with a pan masala brand. After receiving a flood of negative criticism from his fans, the actor has decided that he will no longer be an ambassador for the tobacco company for which he had signed on. On Thursday, April 21, at midnight, Akshay Kumar made the announcement via social media. He went so far as to apologize to his fans.

The Sooryavanshi (2021) actor tweeted, "I'm sorry. I would like to apologise to you, all my fans and well-wishers. Your reaction over the past few days has deeply affected me. While I have not and will not endorse tobacco, I respect the outpouring of your feelings in light of my association with Vimal Elaichi. With all humility, I step back. I have decided to contribute the entire endorsement fee towards a worthy cause. The brand might continue airing the ads till the legal duration of the contract that is binding upon me, but I promise to be extremely mindful in making my future choices. In return, I shall forever continue to ask for your love and wishes.”

The actor, on the other hand, did not specify the length of his contract for the Vimal Elaichi commercial.

Some Twitter users shared an older video of Akshay Kumar stating that he would not do a gutka commercial. He added in the video that he had been given several such advertisements but declined because he believed in the concept of a "healthy India."

The majority of Twitter users implied that Akshay Kumar, who is known for his fitness, was endorsing a product owned by a gutka business.