Sunny Deol’s Pan Masala Predicament: Old Ad Resurfaces, Contradicting Recent Claims
Mumbai, India – Bollywood veteran Sunny Deol finds himself in a viral spotlight once again, but this time, it’s not for his latest cinematic venture. A recent statement made by the actor, where he firmly declared his refusal to endorse pan masala or cardamom brands "even for crores," has been swiftly challenged by the resurfacing of an old advertisement featuring him promoting a sweet pan. This unexpected development has sparked widespread amusement and debate across social media platforms.
Deol’s initial comments, made during an interview on Shubhankar Mishra’s podcast, positioned him as a principled outlier in an industry where several high-profile actors, including Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn, and Tiger Shroff, have faced public scrutiny and even legal notices from the Maharashtra FDA for their associations with pan masala brands. Deol’s assertion that he would never engage in such endorsements, unlike his contemporaries, quickly garnered praise from fans who lauded his perceived integrity. His remarks resonated with many who are critical of celebrities promoting products often linked to health concerns.
However, the internet, with its long and unforgiving memory, soon unearthed a contradictory piece of evidence. An old commercial, widely circulated on X (formerly Twitter), shows Deol alongside actors Ravi Kishan and Vijay Raaz. In the ad, a smiling Deol is seen enthusiastically endorsing a "meetha pan" (sweet pan). The footage depicts him arriving at Ravi Kishan’s stall with two women, requesting the "best meetha pan," and then proudly displaying the packet handed to him.
This unearthed video has created a significant stir, leading to a flurry of reactions online. Netizens were quick to point out the apparent inconsistency between Deol’s recent claims and his past actions. Many users trolled both Deol and the podcast host, Shubhankar Mishra, for the perceived "memory lapse." One user sarcastically advised, "Shubhankar Mishra uncle, thoda homework kiya karo." Another commenter humorously noted the presence of Ravi Kishan in the ad, quipping, "Hey, Ravi bhaiya’s here too. Money follows brother."
The comparison to other celebrity endorsements was also a common theme. One user humorously likened Deol’s situation to a popular soap advertisement, writing, "Santoor Mommy ke baad Santoor Daddy," while another succinctly remarked, "Arre, baki sb to elaichi bech rahe hain, ye to sidha pan masala bech diya." The sentiment among many online observers seems to be one of mild shock mixed with a touch of schadenfreude, as a celebrity’s carefully crafted image appears to have been momentarily punctured.
While the resurfacing of this old ad casts a shadow over Deol’s recent statements, it remains to be seen if the actor will address the controversy directly. In the interim, Deol’s latest film, ‘Batwara 1947,’ which premiered on August 14th alongside ‘Awarapan 2,’ is attempting to find its footing at the box office. Despite a slow start, reports indicate a significant jump in collections over the weekend, suggesting a potential for a decent theatrical run. However, for now, the conversation surrounding Sunny Deol seems to be dominated more by his past endorsement choices than his current cinematic endeavors.
