New Delhi: Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar is in the news again, and this time for an advertisement. Kumar has received a lot of flak online for appearing in a commercial of Nirma washing powder that allegedly mocks the Maratha warriors.
The ad, which was released on 3 January, shows Kumar as a Maratha king. The actor is shown returning after a victorious battle and showered with flower petals.
When he says “khushiyaan manaao” (let us celebrate), a woman quips: “What celebrations…you come back with such dirty clothes which we now have to clean.”
To this, Kumar says in the ad the king’s army not only knows how to thrash enemies but also how to wash clothes. The entire army and Kumar then set about washing their soiled clothes.
Many on social media are calling for a boycott of the Nirma washing power with the hashtag #BoycottNirma trending on Twitter. They are alleging that the ad belittles Maratha warriors and their bravery.
I will #BoycottNirma products after watching this disgusting Ad
Nirma Ltd and Akshay Kumar should apologise for mocking Marathi Warrirors.@ratihegde @Gubyad_Snehal @kanimozhi @mi_puneri pic.twitter.com/n6nE3hx2sy— Nikhil Patrikar (@jagruthindu) January 8, 2020
Mr. @akshaykumar , have you ever read history of Maratha’s ? If No then go and read their sacrifice towards Nation. Else dont mock our Maratha culture !#BoycottNirma pic.twitter.com/cQE8k39GGv
— Nikhil Patrikar (@jagruthindu) January 8, 2020
A police complaint was also filed against Kumar at the Worli police station in Mumbai Monday. The complainant, identified as Suryakant Jaggannath Jadhav, said the people of Maharashtra were deeply hurt by the advertisement. He has urged the police to take action against Nirma Limited and the actor for “maligning’ Maharashtrian culture”.
The commercial was made by production house Collective Art Private Limited.
Not the first ad to receive flak
Nirma Limited is based out of Ahmedabad, and was founded in 1969 by Karsanbhai Khodidas Patel, who heads the company. It has an annual turnover more than Rs 7,000 crore.
This is not the first time that an advertisement has received flak for ‘hurting sentiments’ of people.
In March 2019, an ad for Surf Excel (a detergent power) faced a lot of criticism after some people accused it of promoting love jihad and calling it Hindu-phobic. The ad featured a young Hindu girl and a Muslim boy. It showed the girl, dressed in white, choosing to get stained in Holi colours in order to protect her Muslim friend who has to go to a nearby mosque.
Also read: New Cadbury 5star ad invites flak on social media as many find it in poor taste
There should be a regulation body to clear ads and movies fit for audience, this hitjobs by mafia funded bollywood will not be allowed.