A confusion hovering around actor Aamir Khan and ‘Incredible
India’ campaign erupted on Wednesday with reports that he has been ‘sacked’ as
the brand ambassador of the ad campaign.
BJP leader Amit Malviya had posted on Twitter, “Aamir Khan
removed as brand ambassador of Incredible #India.” This fuelled speculation
that the ‘PK’ actor was ousted because of his comments on “growing intolerance”
in November last year.
Soon after, the Ministry of Tourism clarified the confusion
over the actor’s removal from ‘Incredible India’ on the micro-blogging site and
tweeted that there was no change in the stand of the ministry in this matter.
The ministry further posted, “At present, we have a
contractual agreement with creative agency Mc Cann Worldwide to produce social
awareness campaign, which featured Aamir Khan.”
However, Minister of State for Tourism and Culture, Mahesh
Sharma put to rest all the confusion. The minister said that Aamir Khan was
part of the campaign through a contract with advertising agency McCann
Erickson, and the agreement has ended.
"Since the contract with the agency is no more,
automatically the arrangement with the actor no longer exists," Sharma was
quoted by a PTI report. A decision will be taken on whether the contract is to
be renewed, the minister added.
Sharma also said that it has nothing to do with Aamir Khan’s
controversial remarks on intolerance, and that it is a non-issue for the Tourism
Ministry.
He further clarified that the Ministry’s agreement was with
the advertising agency and not with the actor. Commenting on the possibility of
Aamir Khan featuring in other ads by the ministry, Sharma said a proposal will
be tabled before a board and the board will finalise the name of the ad agency
and a face for the campaign. In the fresh agreement, the board can finalise
Amir Khan or any other person, he added.
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