DNA (May 4, 2015)

Recently, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was slammed for a racist ad that she shot for a jewellery brand. In the ad, she was seen decked in jewels along with a child, dark and emaciated, holding an oversized umbrella over her head. It caused a social media outrage, but her publicists were quick to control the damage by saying that the image was altered. They issued her picture from the shoot saying, ”This is the original picture. The final layout of the ad is entirely the prerogative of the creative team for a brand.” Soon, the brand withdrew the ad.

Now, Maharashtra’s Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has filed a FIR against e-commerce major Snapdeal, for selling medicines, including prescription drugs. What is the connection, you may ask. Well, it has none other than Aamir Khan endorsing the online retail company. And he is known to be extremely selective not only about his films, but also endorsements. In fact, after his TV show Satyamev Jayate, Aamir has earned the moniker of a social crusader. He is also the face of Incredible India that he is promoting to boost our tourism. In such a scenario, it wouldn’t do good for Aamir’s image to be associated with a company allegedly selling prescription drugs online that is against the law. Hai na? Wonder if Aamir will continue endorsing it or back out of the ‘deal’?

In the past
Earlier, too, Aamir had found himself in a soup when Coca Cola, the brand he was endorsing was found to be using high amounts of pesticides in its aerated drinks. Here, the brand cleverly used Aamir’s nice guy image to deflect the negative publicity. An ad showing Aamir at the Coca Cola factory was shot where as a consumer he questions safety of Coke. It went on to enumerate the stringent quality control used by the company and cited test results that showed negligible pesticide residue levels in the drink. It ended with Aamir inviting the lay man to visit the factory and find for himself how safe it is!