Do some real news: Akshay Kumar over report of him 'returning' as paan masala brand ambassador
Mumbai (PTI): Terming a report claiming he had returned as the ambassador of a paan masala brand "fake news", superstar Akshay Kumar says he had distanced himself from the product after he publicly withdrew his association from the endorsement last year.
An online portal on Monday had shared an article on X with the caption: "#AkshayKumar returns as the ambassador of Vimal Pan Masala; features along with #AjayDevgn and #ShahRukhKhan in the new commercial".
Akshay, who in April 2022 had announced his decision to cut ties with the brand, said the ads were shot back in 2021.
"'Returns' as ambassador? Here's some fact check for you Bollywood Hungama, if by chance you are interested in things other than fake news. These ads were shot on 13th October, 2021.
"I have not had anything to do with the brand ever since I publicly announced the discontinuation of the endorsement. They can legally run the already shot ads till the end of next month. Chill and do some real news," the 56-year-old wrote on X in response to the report.
After the brand's latest ad commercial was broadcast on Sunday evening, a section of social media users called out Akshay for being a "hypocrite". Others supported him saying the ad may have been shot before he backed out as the brand ambassador.
The portal later updated its story with the actor's response.
Last year, Akshay had come under fire for endorsing the brand, with social media users digging up an old video where he had vouched to never promote tobacco.
Following backlash, the actor issued a statement and apologised to fans for featuring in the advertising campaign. The brand might continue airing the ads till the "legal duration of the contract that is binding upon me", he had further said.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
MVA to keep all its newly-elected MLAs under one roof after poll results: Sanjay Raut
Mumbai (PTI): The Maha Vikas Aghadi constituents have decided to house all its newly-elected MLAs together in Mumbai after the Maharashtra election results, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said on Friday, a move aimed at preventing poaching ahead of government formation.
Talking to reporters here, Raut said MVA leaders, including himself, his party colleague Anil Desai, NCP (SP) state president Jayant Patil and Congress leaders Satej Patil and Balasaheb Thorat met on Thursday and carried out an assessment of every seat.
"We have decided to bring all newly-elected MLAs to Mumbai. New MLAs have no provision to stay in Mumbai. So we have decided to make their residential arrangements together," he said.
The counting of votes for the November 20 Maharashtra assembly polls will take place on Saturday.
Raut expressed confidence that the MVA would win 160 seats in the elections.
Some independents, who have strong chances of victory, have expressed their desire to support the opposition bloc, the Rajya Sabha member said.
"There is no formula for the CM's post. Everyone will choose the leader of the government," Raut said.
Senior Congress leaders have to come to Mumbai with a mandate on the CM's post as NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray are in Mumbai.
He also asserted that no power can stop the MVA from forming the next government in Maharashtra and that the decision on the top post will be taken only in Maharashtra.
Fissures have emerged within the opposition MVA as well as the ruling Mahayuti on who will head the next government with constituents in both camps laying claim over the chief minister's post. While state Congress chief Nana Patole asserted that a MVA government will be formed in Maharashtra under the leadership of his party, Raut on Thursday insisted the CM face will be decided by all alliance partners jointly.
Raut expressed fear that the BJP will try to obstruct the MVA through the governor's office in forming the government despite the opposition having the majority.
"We will take a decision without any delay, or else BJP will try to snatch power ruthlessly," hesaid.
The term of the Maharashtra legislative assembly ends on November 26. The opposition fears that President's rule could be imposed in the state if a new government is not formed till then.
