Apart from appearing in movies, endorsing a product in an advertisement is a significant source of income for several celebrities. While they bag a huge chunk of money for these ads, there have been times when some of these celebs turned down the opportunities to represent a brand and chose ethics over money. Read on.
1. Amitabh Bachchan
The megastar was associated with Pepsi since 2002 for eight long years. However, he stopped representing the soft drink brand after a young girl, at a school event, asked him why does he promote a product that her teacher labelled as poison. He narrated the entire incident during an interactive session on celebrity endorsements at IIM-A.
2. Sushant Singh Rajput
The late actor, who was known for his down to earth nature and simple principles, turned down an advertisement deal worth a whopping ₹15 crores for endorsing fairness creams. As per a report, the three-year-long deal required the actor to shoot for six commercials. However, he immediately turned it down as he felt that he is responsible for the products he lends his face to, as many people look up to him. The actor said:
As responsible actors, it is our duty to not indulge in sending out incorrect messages. We should not, in any way, endorse or promote the ideology of preferring one skin tone over another.
3. John Abraham
The actor is apparently very particular about the products he is associated with. As per sources, a famous tobacco brand approached the actor for an endorsement and even offered a large amount. However, he turned down the offer.
4. Anushka Sharma
I would not endorse products that propagate racist and sexist beliefs and propagate social taboo. I don’t want to endorse products that propagate fair skin and all. I will not propagate anything that says this is right or wrong.
5. Swara Bhaskar
Known for her fierce opinions and unconventional film choices, the actor turned down an offer to endorse a skin lightening cream. The actor refused to endorse anything that discriminates against a person for their skin colour. She said:
This fair skin obsession has to be discouraged. It's so regressive and problematic to put a value, negative or positive on skin colour. It's actually the seeds of racism and it only promotes low self-esteem. For me, I believe in loving yourself just the way you are. Dusky, dark or wheatish, you are perfect, all I want to tell the girls is DON'T change.
6. Ranbir Kapoor
In 2011, the actor refused to endorse a fairness cream brand. Even though he was reportedly being offered ₹9 crores for the advertisement, he declined the offer.
7. Emraan Hashmi
Reportedly, the actor was offered a whopping ₹4 crores for representing a liquor brand as its brand ambassador. However, the actor didn't even think twice before turning down the offer. As per a report:
Emraan was offered to be the brand ambassador of an alcohol brand. He was offered a whopping amount for endorsing the product that is also endorsed by several top actors. He declined the offer as he knows he is a role model to a lot of youngsters from the age gap of 18 to 25 years and he didn't want them to follow the wrong path.
8. Upen Patel
The actor is also one of the many celebrities who refused to endorse skin lightening products as it encourages racist stereotypes. He turned down the offer and stated:
This fair skin obsession has to be discouraged. It's so regressive and problematic to put a value, negative or positive on skin colour. It's actually the seeds of racism and it only promotes low self-esteem. For me, I believe in loving yourself just the way you are. Dusky, dark or wheatish, you are perfect.
9. Sunny Leone
I received a call from Daniel Weber, husband of Sunny Leone, and he has promised that Sunny will not sign any contract for such kinds of advertisements.
10. Abhishek Bachchan
The actor, who is a teetotaler in real life, turned down an offer worth ₹10 crores for endorsing an alcohol brand as he didn't want to give out any wrong message to youngsters.
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