At a recent promotional event, when Akshay Kumar was announced as a brand ambassador for a technology company in India a female journalist posed a witty question that drew an amused reaction from the actor. The journalist was referencing the ongoing scrutiny of celebrity endorsements in the pan masala (tobacco) category and linking it to the recent controversy surrounding Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn and Tiger Shroff, decided to challenge him with a playful dig: “‘Sab kesar bech rahe hain, aap Acer bech rahe hain?’” (Everyone is selling saffron, while you are selling Acer? albeit, in a rhyming way.) Rather than engage with the topic seriously, Akshay responded by laughing heartily at the jest, choosing humor over commentary. The moment was captured on camera and has subsequently gone viral across various social media platforms. It’s worth noting that the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has sent show-cause notices to all three actors – Shah Rukh, Ajay and Tiger – following their involvement in advertisements for similar products.
