Allu Arjun, the popular actor known for “Pushpa: The Rise,” has made headlines by turning down a lucrative offer from a well-known liquor and pan masala brand. The brand proposed a Rs 10 crore deal for featuring its logo every time Arjun’s character, ‘Pushpa,’ smokes or chews tobacco in the upcoming sequel, “Pushpa: The Rule.” The actor’s principled refusal is rooted in ethical considerations, stating that endorsing such habits goes against his values. This isn’t the first time Arjun has taken such a stand, having rejected a multi-crore deal from a tobacco and liquor brand earlier this year, emphasizing his commitment to not encouraging habits he personally avoids.
This ethical stance mirrors the decisions of other South Indian stars, such as Yash from KGF fame, who declined a tobacco brand deal in April. In contrast, Bollywood heavyweights Ajay Devgn, Shahrukh Khan, and Akshay Kumar faced criticism for endorsing a gutka brand, prompting the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) to issue notices. Notably, Akshay Kumar resigned as the brand ambassador for Vimal last year due to public backlash over the association with tobacco products, maintaining his stance against endorsing such items. Despite recent media reports, Kumar has refuted claims of his return as the brand ambassador for Vimal Pan Masala, reaffirming his commitment to responsible brand endorsements.