Tamannaah Bhatia faces backlash over ₹6.2 crore Mysore Sandal Soap endorsement deal
Bengaluru: Actress Tamannaah Bhatia has been announced as the new brand ambassador for the iconic Mysore Sandal Soap, having signed a deal worth ₹6.2 crore with the Karnataka government. However, the move has sparked sharp criticism from pro-Kannada activists and cultural outfits, who question the choice of a non-Kannadiga to represent a brand deeply rooted in Karnataka’s heritage.
Prominent Kannada filmmaker Kavita Lankesh voiced her discontent, accusing the government of promoting a narrow beauty standard. “Why are we chasing this so-called ‘milky white’ beauty when Karnataka has no dearth of talented and beautiful actors? This is taxpayer money, and we deserve answers,” she said, as quoted in a News18 report.
Roopesh Rajanna, a leader of the Yuva Karnataka Vedike, has threatened to protest in front of the Mysore Sandal Soap factory unless the endorsement is revoked. Karnataka Rakshana Vedike president T Narayana Gowda also denounced the decision, calling it an "insult" to the people of the state.
In response to the uproar, Karnataka Industries Minister M.B. Patil defended the selection, explaining that the state-owned Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL) aims to expand its reach beyond Karnataka, and Tamannaah’s pan-India appeal would help achieve that goal.
KSDL officials added that several leading Kannada-origin actresses, including Deepika Padukone, Rashmika Mandanna, and Pooja Hegde, were approached but could not be signed due to existing brand commitments.
Despite government clarifications, the backlash continues, with many urging KSDL to reconsider its decision and choose a brand ambassador who better represents Karnataka’s cultural identity.
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Oppn, X users flag concerns over US envoy Sergio Gor’s visit to Army’s western command
New Delhi: A visit by the US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, to Chandigarh on Monday has triggered sharp criticism from opposition leaders and social media users, raising questions about national security and foreign policy.
On X, Ambassador Gor announced his visit, writing, “Just landed in Chandigarh. Looking forward to visiting the Western Command of the Indian Army.”
Just landed in Chandigarh. Looking forward to visiting the Western Command of the Indian Army
— Ambassador Sergio Gor (@USAmbIndia) February 16, 2026
Soon after, opposition voices questioned the broader implications of the visit. Congress Kerala, in a post, commented, “Why so much panic? We’ve already seen Pakistan's ISI getting access to Pathankot Airbase with this government's blessings. Didn't they say then ‘Modi ne kiya ho to kuch soch samajh kar kiya hoga?’ Compared to that, this is very small.”
Why so much panic? We’ve already seen Pakistan's ISI getting access to Pathankot Airbase with this government's blessings.
— Congress Kerala (@INCKerala) February 16, 2026
Didn't they say then "Modi ne kiya ho to kuch soch samajh kar kiya hoga?"
Compared to that, this is very small. pic.twitter.com/gNNuAGQBPC
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi also weighed in, writing, “Since India’s national strategic interests are now tied to what US wants India to do, this visit seems to sync with that.”
She further added, “India’s history will remember the de-escalation announcement between India and Pak was announced on social media by the US President before Indians got to know from their own government. US Ambassador is doing the job for his nation, who is doing for us? The answer is blowing in the wind.”
Since India’s national strategic interests are now tied to what US wants India to do, this visit seems to sync with that. India’s history will remember the de-escalation announcement between India and Pak was announced on social media by the US President before Indians got to… pic.twitter.com/rYMq5NhJHA
— Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@priyankac19) February 16, 2026
The visit comes against the backdrop of the growing US-India defence partnership.
Writer and political analyst @rajuparulekar commented on ‘X’, “East India Company is back!”
“Is it allowed for an ambassador to visit any army unit in india?” asked another user.
Several X users expressed concerns over the appropriateness of the visit.
One asked, “Is it allowed for an ambassador to visit any army unit in India?” Another wrote, “Why an ambassador visiting our army places? To talk to Chandigarh lobby for F-35?”
Why an ambassador visiting our army places ? To talk to chandigarh lobby for f-35 ??
— Rohan Sagar (@RohanSagar03) February 16, 2026
“We have completely sold Indian sovereignty. Rothschild the evil Bankers will now control NSE. Modi sold Bharat Mata to Trump . And now American imperialist is visiting our army command . Scary,” wrote another user.
“The Indian Army isn’t part of geopolitics, so why is he interested in visiting there?,” opined another.
The Indian Army isn’t part of geopolitics, so why is he interested in visiting there?
— Aditya Pratap Singh (@Adi_IIMCIAN) February 16, 2026
On Sunday, Gor welcomed Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), highlighting efforts to expand the growing US-India defence partnership.
In a post on X, Gor wrote, “Delighted to have @INDOPACOM Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo in India to expand the U.S.-India defense partnership. Now is the time to strengthen vital cooperation between our two nations.”
On Monday, Admiral Samuel J. Paparo Jr visited the headquarters of India’s Western Army Command along with the American envoy Sergio Gor. The delegation was briefed on the formation’s capabilities, its past operations, and future plans.
The American delegation also visited Bengaluru, where they met three start-ups, two in the space sector and one in defence, and participated in an Indo-US conference.
