If Pakistani artists weren't enough, India has now banned Pierce Brosnan's paan masala ad because... it's illegal!
According to DNA India, India's Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chief Pahlaj Nihalani has banned the former James Bond star's ad without actually having seen it.
“I haven’t seen the ad. But it is very difficult to believe Pierce Brosnan has done this. Money can hardly be a criteria when you’re selling death to people," he told the publication.
He added, "However, he has chosen to do what he has done. But there is no way we can certify the ad. All paan masala, tobacco, alcohol ads are automatically and unconditionally banned.”
The decision comes after the Consumer Protection Act in the Indian Constitution which declares tobacco and alcohol advertisements (online and traditional) to be illegal in the country.
India's CBFC chief is adamant on not lifting the ban. “Absolutely not [airing the ad]," says Nihalani. "Even the liquor ads showing big stars like Shah Rukh and Saif, which pretend to sell non-alcohol products while actually selling the alcohol brand, are illegal. You can’t use a name associated with an alcohol to sell any other product."
And to really drive home the point, he said: "I repeat, all paan masala ads are banned by the government on all public platforms. So what does Mr Brosnan hope to achieve by doing this ad?”
Sorry Bond, it seems like all your class went straight out of style.
According to DNA India, India's Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chief Pahlaj Nihalani has banned the former James Bond star's ad without actually having seen it.
“I haven’t seen the ad. But it is very difficult to believe Pierce Brosnan has done this. Money can hardly be a criteria when you’re selling death to people," he told the publication.
He added, "However, he has chosen to do what he has done. But there is no way we can certify the ad. All paan masala, tobacco, alcohol ads are automatically and unconditionally banned.”
The decision comes after the Consumer Protection Act in the Indian Constitution which declares tobacco and alcohol advertisements (online and traditional) to be illegal in the country.
India's CBFC chief is adamant on not lifting the ban. “Absolutely not [airing the ad]," says Nihalani. "Even the liquor ads showing big stars like Shah Rukh and Saif, which pretend to sell non-alcohol products while actually selling the alcohol brand, are illegal. You can’t use a name associated with an alcohol to sell any other product."
And to really drive home the point, he said: "I repeat, all paan masala ads are banned by the government on all public platforms. So what does Mr Brosnan hope to achieve by doing this ad?”
Sorry Bond, it seems like all your class went straight out of style.
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