Akshay Kumar once found himself at the centre of controversy over his association with Vimal Elaichi.
According to NDTV, the episode has resurfaced after the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration issued show-cause notices to Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn and Tiger Shroff over their association with a Vimal advertisement.
In 2022, Akshay faced intense criticism after appearing in a Vimal Elaichi campaign alongside Shah Rukh Khan and Ajay Devgn.
Many questioned the actor’s decision to promote a brand associated with a pan masala company, despite his public stance against tobacco.
Following the backlash, Akshay apologised to his fans and announced that he would withdraw from the endorsement.
In a statement shared on X, the actor said he was sorry and acknowledged that the reaction from his fans and well-wishers had affected him.
He clarified that he had never endorsed tobacco but said he respected the concerns raised over his association with Vimal Elaichi.
Akshay also announced that he would donate his entire endorsement fee to a charitable cause.
However, he noted that the brand could continue using the advertisement until the legally binding contract expired.
He further promised to be more careful about his choices in future endorsements.
The controversy surrounding Vimal has returned to the spotlight after Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration issued show-cause notices to Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn and Tiger Shroff.
The actors appeared together in a Vimal Elaichi advertisement in 2024. The FDA has alleged that the campaign indirectly promotes pan masala.
The notice, issued by Maharashtra food safety chief Tukaram Mundhe on 11 August, directed the actors to stop participating in the campaign and remove promotional material related to the advertisement from their official social media accounts.
Akshay’s earlier decision to step away from the endorsement has therefore resurfaced amid the latest controversy, once again bringing celebrity endorsements of pan masala and related products under scrutiny.
