After Hollywood star Pierce Brosnan alleges he wasn't told paan masala could be carginogenic when signing contract for Indian ad, firm’s spokesperson says a call to Brosnan today will clear the air
We'll have a talk with Pierce Brosnan to clear the confusion, says Pan Bahar brand manager
Pierce Brosnan on the sets of the Pan Bahar ad shoot in Austin, Texas
Weeks after stirring up a storm with an advertisement for local pan masala brand, Pan Bahar, Hollywood star Pierce Brosnan, on Thursday night, claimed that he gave his okay for the endorsement without any knowledge of the harmful effects the product would have on consumers.
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The commercial that aired last fortnight fetched the former James Bond actor enormous flak on social media for pushing a product that could have carcinogenic properties.
Reacting to the media buzz, in an interview to People magazine, Brosnan said, “I was distressed to learn of Pan Bahar’s unauthorised and deceptive use of my image to endorse their range of pan masala products. I would never have entered into an agreement to promote a product in India that is dangerous to one’s health.”
Also read: Pierce Brosnan slams Pan Bahar, claims he didn't know what he was endorsing
The campaign was conceptualized by DDB Mudra North and portrayed Brosnan in his Bond avatar, hoping his sophisticated charisma would rub off on the masala, and push sales.
Brosnan alleges that the manufacturer violated the contract which had explicitly stated that he was to endorse a “breath freshener/tooth whitener”.
“Having endured, in my own personal life, the loss of my first wife and daughter as well as numerous friends to cancer, I am fully committed to supporting women’s healthcare and research programs that improve human health and alleviate suffering,” his statement read.
For an article that appeared in mid-day on October 16, Sambit Mohanty, creative head of DDB Mudra North, said that the actor readily warmed up to the idea. The first few briefings and narrations happened over the phone and, in no time, they were good to go. "[At the shoot] he opened the can, tasted it, liked the whole mouth freshening feel and then, even kept a few cans aside to carry back home to share with friends," he recalled from the shoot that was wrapped up in Austin, Texas.
When asked to comment on Brosnan’s allegation, Mohanty said he is under instruction from the client not to comment on the matter.
Also read: Creative head behind Pierce Brosnan's Pan Bahar ad hits out at Twitter trolls
Pan Bahar is yet to clear its stand. Speaking to mid-day, Vikash Shukla, brand manager at Ashok and Co. Pan Bahar Ltd., said, “We have been in touch with Mr Brosnan’s team and have exchanged a few emails. There is some confusion. We’ll have a talk with him and the team this evening and clear the air. I cannot say more at the moment. We hope to issue a statement soon.”
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