James Bond in history, Pierce Brosnan, could face a 2-year jail sentence in India after appearing in print and TV ads for a local mouth freshener product which is reportedly linked to cancer.
As can be seen in the video above, the Irish-born actor served as the face for the campaign and starred in a James Bond-style spoof commercial for Pan Bahar, a brand of pan masala – a product meant to refresh the palate and aid digestion – back in 2016.
FYI, it is illegal to advertise tobacco products in India.
Though the product promoted in his campaign did not contain tobacco, other types of the pan masala product does, which explains why a court in Delhi has demanded Pierce Brosnan’s explanation within ten days, or he could face a two year jail sentence or be fined 5,000 rupees (RM301).
“We have issued the show-cause notice to Pierce Brosnan through the company, and also reached out to him via social media platforms,” officials told the Indian Express newspaper.
According to sources, Pierce Brosnan said he was “deeply shocked and saddened” that his image was used to promote a potentially dangerous product.
The 007 actor reportedly believed that he was promoting a “breath freshener/tooth whitener [and] all-natural, containing neither tobacco, supari nor any other harmful ingredient.” He said he felt “grossly manipulated” by the Pan Bahar company when it came to his involvement.
https://twitter.com/hankypanty/status/789350246144958464
In light of this, Pierce Brosnan apologised to anyone he may have offended, mentioning his own losses due to cancer.
He said, “Having endured, in my own personal life, the loss of my first wife and daughter as well as numerous friends to cancer, I am fully committed to supporting women’s healthcare and research programs that improve human health and alleviate suffering.”
#PierceBrosnan thought #PanBahar was a tooth whitener. And dis guy was James Bond for 10 years. Saala isse smart to apna Byomkesh Bakshy hai
— Abhijeet Bhatt (@BhattWhy) October 21, 2016
Hmm, this reminds me of Kendall Jenner’s unfortunate Pepsi situation. Does Pierce Brosnan deserve this punishment or should we put the blame on Pan Bahar instead?
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