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Soundarya Sharma, known from Bigg Boss 16, recently discussed her role in a pan masala ad with Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn, and Akshay Kumar.
Soundarya Sharma says she has no regrets about the ad.
Soundarya Sharma, known from Bigg Boss 16, recently discussed her role in a pan masala ad with Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn, and Akshay Kumar. Addressing the backlash, especially toward Akshay, she shared her views on the responsibility of public figures. She noted that while all stars were part of the ad, they had different schedules; she didn’t shoot directly with Akshay but confirmed Ajay Devgn was there for the balcony scene.
Addressing the criticism Akshay Kumar faced over endorsing a pan masala brand, Soundarya said she had no regrets about her own involvement. “No, I don’t regret it. Because I think my choices as an actor are very different from the choices as a dentist or as a (normal) person. You tell me, I want to make it here in the industry – I’m saying this truthfully,” she said, during a chat with Bollywood Bubble.
Soundarya was grateful for the chance to work with Bollywood’s biggest stars and rued that no one would say no to such an opportunity. “Agar kissi ko aisa platform ya opportunity milegi toh aap manna kar doge? Koi nahi karega. Yeh [troll karna] hypocrisy wali baath ho jayegi agar mein bolu… We look up to them, we have all grown up watching them. We are live fan girls and fan boys (of theirs). They are like the superstars of our country. Why would I say no to something where I can be a part of and share the screen with the biggest mega stars of the country? I have manifested all of that. I have been praying and working hard to share even a glimpse or space where I can be on the same pedestal and share a bit of my talent. And yes I got that opportunity,” she said.
Speaking about about moral policing, Soundarya said that if people are so concerned about pan masala and gutka, they should stop those who are actually using it. She went on to add, “Everyone is saying pan masala, gutka… agar aap itna moral policing kar rahe hai toh unn logo ko rokiye na joh kha rahe hai. Taali ek haat se nahi bajhti. Logo ko pata hai unko life mein kya karna hai. So how only actors are responsible? I agree ki public figure hai, woh kya message dete hai usse logo ke upar bahut prabhav padta hai – that’s why they say tha ki aap bahut influential ho. Par insaan ki matt bhi hoti hai. Aap sab kuch joh artist karte hai woh nahi karte hai apni life mein? Toh yeh toh bada alibi ho gaya hai actors ko blame karne ka. Audience ko malum hai – they are very smart.”
Soundarya Sharma will be seen in Housefull 5.