21 August,2026 04:18 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Akshay Kumar (Picture via Yogen Shah)
Akshay Kumar recently found himself in a light-hearted moment when a journalist brought up the ongoing controversy surrounding Bollywood celebrities and pan masala advertisements. The actor was attending an Acer promotional event after being announced as the technology brand's ambassador in India on August 20, when he was asked a rather witty question.
A female journalist from NDTV asked Akshay, "Sab kesar bech rahe hain, aap Acer bech rahe hain?" referring to the ongoing discussion around celebrities endorsing products associated with pan masala and mouth fresheners. Instead of offering a detailed response, Akshay burst into laughter. A video of the exchange has since surfaced online and attracted attention.
The question was made in the context of the controversy involving Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn and Tiger Shroff, who feature in a Vimal Elaichi advertisement. The commercial has come under scrutiny after the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued show-cause notices to the three actors over allegations that the advertisement could amount to indirect or surrogate promotion of Vimal Pan Masala.
The Maharashtra FDA reportedly described the notice as a "final warning" and said the advertisement appeared prima facie to be a misleading advertisement relating to food. The authority also cited provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, along with relevant regulations. Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has stated that misleading or surrogate advertisements are not permitted and that action could be taken against advertisers.
Against this backdrop, the journalist's question to Akshay appeared to draw attention to the contrast between his new technology endorsement and the pan masala-related advertisements associated with other actors. Akshay chose to respond with laughter rather than comment directly on the controversy.
The actor has previously faced scrutiny over his association with pan masala advertising. He had appeared in a Vimal campaign alongside Ajay Devgn and Shah Rukh Khan before stepping away from the endorsement following criticism from fans and social media users. His reaction at the recent event has therefore prompted renewed interest in his stance on celebrity brand endorsements.
At the Acer event, Akshay also spoke about his approach to choosing brands. According to the report, he said that convincing his wife about a brand involves explaining the decision in detail, including the scientific reasoning behind it. The remark offered another humorous moment during the interaction.
The viral exchange has since sparked reactions online, with many users appreciating Akshay's amused response to the unexpected question. While the actor did not directly address the pan masala controversy, his laughter became the highlight of the interaction.
For now, the debate around surrogate advertising continues, with the Maharashtra FDA maintaining its focus on advertisements that it believes could indirectly promote prohibited products.
