Bollywood

Pierce Brosnan 'Deeply Shocked, Saddened' On Indian Pan Masala Ad

Darpan News Desk, 21 Oct, 2016 12:14 PM

Hollywood star Pierce Brosnan is "deeply shocked and saddened" about the "deceptive" and "unauthorised" use of his image to promote an Indian pan masala brand.

Brosnan, best known for his stint as the British spy James Bond in the popular film franchise, featured in the ad holding a tin of the pan masala Pan Bahar.

In a statement to people.com, Brosnan said that he has the "greatest love and affection for India and its people".

"As a man who has spent decades championing women's healthcare and environmental protection, I was distressed to learn of Pan Bahar's unauthorised and deceptive use of my image to endorse their range of pan masala products," he said.

Pierce Brosnan: Apologies, I Didn’t Know What I Was Selling!
Delhi Voters: Apologies, Even We Didn't Know Who We Are Choosing. ;) pic.twitter.com/F03EP2fxXs
— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) October 21, 2016

"I would never have entered into an agreement to promote a product in India that is dangerous to one's health," he added.

Pierce Brosnan says he didn't know reality of Pan Bahar before he signed up to advertise. Sounds like a Delhi resident who voted for AAP.
— Rahul Roushan (@rahulroushan) October 20, 2016

Brosnan said that his contract detailed that he was to advertise a "breath freshener or tooth whitener", which wouldn't include an ingredient that can cause cancer.

He agreed to advertise a single product only, and that it was presented as "all-natural containing neither tobacco, supari, nor any other harmful ingredient".

Tourist Guide: You see the Taj Mahal. Do you know why it's so white?
Pierce Brosnan : Shahjahan used to eat Paan Bahar?
*guide hugs him*
— Sahil Shah (@SahilBulla) October 21, 2016

"Having endured, in my own personal life, the loss of my first wife and daughter as well as numerous friends to cancer, I am fully committed to supporting women's healthcare and research programs that improve human health and alleviate suffering," the statement further read.

Pierce Brosnan was told that #PanBahar was a mouth freshener/tooth whitener. Sad that the British secret service didn't validate it. :(
— Atul Bhushan (@iAtulBhushan) October 21, 2016

The actor has demanded the company to remove his image from all their products, and assured that he had no knowledge that he was endorsing items that would have a negative or painful reaction in India.

Pierce Brosnan will soon find out that the "Shaken but not stirred Martini" he was having all these years was actually

Masala Limca.
— Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) October 21, 2016

He added that Pan Bahar "grossly manipulated" media outlets to falsely present him as a brand ambassador for their entire line of products, something he writes is "in violation of my contract".

Pierce Brosnan thought he was endorsing a, "tooth whitener."
Pan Bahar does whiten your teeth.
They fall out.
Then you get brand new ones.
— Sorabh Pant (@hankypanty) October 21, 2016

"I shall endeavor to rectify this matter. In the meantime, please accept my sincerest and heartfelt apologies to all whom I have offended," he said.

Poor old #PierceBrosnan. Must be dark days when you blindly sign a contract without reading what it is you're lending your mug for.
— Hayden Scott (@ScottSaab) October 21, 2016

After the release of the advertisement earlier this month, Brosnan was criticised by many over various social media platforms for being a part of the pan masala brand.

Prev Next

MORE Bollywood ARTICLES

Zoya Akhtar Says, 'Indian Films Bleeding With Taxation'

Filmmaker Zoya Akhtar expressed concern over the heavy taxation on Indian films, which she says is "backbreaking" for producers.

Zoya Akhtar Says, 'Indian Films Bleeding With Taxation'

Eagerly Waiting For Kareena, Saif's Baby: Karisma

Actress Karisma Kapoor says Bollywood's famous Kapoor clan is eagerly awaiting the arrival of her sister Kareena Kapoor Khan's first child with Saif Ali Khan.

Eagerly Waiting For Kareena, Saif's Baby: Karisma

Priyanka Chopra Is Revolutionizing TV Shows Abroad, Says Poorna

Poorna Jaganathan, currently starring on critically-acclaimed drama The Night Of, believes the success of Priyanka Chopra and Aziz Ansari in American television shows will open more doors for South Asian actors.

Priyanka Chopra Is Revolutionizing TV Shows Abroad, Says Poorna

Priyanka Teams With Jodie Foster To Reinvent Song

Indian actress-singer Priyanka Chopra and Hollywood star Jodie Foster have reinvented American singer Britney Spears's 2004 hit "Toxic".

Priyanka Teams With Jodie Foster To Reinvent Song

Kareena To Be Sabyasachi's Showstopper At LFW Finale?

Amid speculation that she might skip the fashion gala due to her pregnancy, a well placed source, who did not wish to be named, told IANS that Kareena, who endorses the event's title sponsor Lakme, will be seen on the ramp.

Kareena To Be Sabyasachi's Showstopper At LFW Finale?

Sonam Kapoor Supports Women Entrepreneurs' Exhibition

Bollywood actress Sonam Kapoor, along with Australian swimmer and Olympic medallist Stephanie Rice lent support to a Women Entrepreneur's Exhibition, hosted by the Ladies' Wing of the Indian Merchant Chamber (IMC) on Tuesday.