Yash declines multi-crore endorsement deal for paan masala brand

Days after Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar stepped down as brand ambassador for paan masala brand, Sandalwood actor Yash refused a multi-crore endorsement deal for a paan masala and cardamom brand.

According to an HT report, Exceed Entertainment, the agency managing Yash’s endorsements confirmed that the actor declined an endorsement deal for a paan masala brand.

The report quoted Arjun Banerjee, head of the talent management agency as saying “Given his pan-India appeal, we want to use this opportunity to give right kind of messaging to his fans and followers and invest our time and sweat with brands which have a conscience, are like-minded and want to play the long game, just like the man himself,” he added.

Yash’s recent release KGF2 has joined the Rs 1000 crore club alongside Aamir Khan’s Dangal, SS Rajamouli’s Baahubali, and RRR. The movie, directed by Prashant Neel, is the first movie from Karnataka and the fourth Indian film to earn more than Rs. 1000 crore (gross) at the worldwide box office.

It may be recalled that Akshay Kumar came under fire for endorsing a paan masala brand, with social media users digging up an old video of the actor where he had vouched to never promote tobacco.

Following this Kumar apologised to his fans and said he was withdrawing his association with the brand. He added that he would be donating his entire fee towards a ”worthy cause”. ”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 all humility, I step back. I have decided to contribute the entire endorsement fee towards a worthy cause,” he tweeted.