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.
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Pollution: Delhi Transport Department mandates colour-coded fuel for vehicles
New Delhi (PTI): Delhi Transport Department has mandated vehicle owners in the National Capital Territory to affix colour-coded stickers on their vehicles to help identify fuel types to combat rising pollution levels.
According to a public notice issued by the department, the directive is in line with the Supreme Court's order dated August 12, 2018, and subsequent amendments to Rule 50 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.
The vehicle owners in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi will now be required to install chromium-based hologram stickers, the notice read.
The colour-coded stickers are designed to assist enforcement personnel in visually identifying a vehicle's fuel type during road checks.
The rule applies to both new vehicles, effective from April 1, 2019, and old vehicles, registered before March 31, 2019. Vehicle owners must ensure the stickers are affixed on their windscreens to comply with legal requirements, it said.
Owners of older vehicles are advised to contact their respective vehicle dealers for sticker installation, it read.
Additionally, an online booking facility is available for home installation of High-Security Registration Plates (HSRP) along with the fuel-based colour-coded stickers through the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) website or via the Transport Department's portal, the statement said.
Non-compliance will attract penalties under the Motor Vehicles Act and Rules, and vehicle owners are urged to act promptly to avoid prosecution and ensure their vehicles meet the regulatory standards, it added.
The stickers contain details like the registration number, registering authority, a laser-branded PIN, and the engine and chassis numbers of the vehicles.
