Soundarya Sharma, who is known for her participation in Salman Khan hosted controversial reality show Bigg Boss 16, recently spoke out about her involvement in a
pan masala
advertisement alongside Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn, and Akshay Kumar. Reflecting on the backlash and moral scrutiny the actors, particularly Akshay Kumar, have faced, Soundarya shared her perspective on the controversy and the responsibility that comes with being a public figure.
Reflecting on her experience filming the pan masala ad, Soundarya Sharma mentioned that while all the stars were involved in the project, their schedules varied. She noted that she hadn’t directly shot with Akshay Kumar and therefore couldn’t speak to the specifics of each actor’s participation. However, she confirmed that Ajay Devgn was present during the balcony scene.
Addressing the criticism Akshay Kumar endured over endorsing a pan masala brand, Soundarya expressed 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 told Bollywood Bubble.
Soundarya expressed her gratitude for the chance to work alongside some of Bollywood’s most renowned stars. “Agar kissi ko aisa platform ya opportunity milegi toh aap manna kar donge? 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.
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Speaking on the issue of moral policing, she noted, “Everyone is saying pan masala, gutka… agar aap itna moral policing kar rahe hai toh unn logo ko rokhiye na joh kha rahe hai. Thali 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 pointed out that consumers are fully aware of the product’s health risks and make their own decisions. She questioned the fairness of holding actors accountable, noting that “the audience today is smart and responsible” and isn’t influenced blindly. In her view, no one is compelled to buy or consume such products, and ultimately, personal choice plays a significant role.
