Akshay, Kangana not brand ambassadors of IFR: Parrikar

Faced with criticism for roping in actors Akshay Kumar and Kangana Ranaut as “brand ambassadors” of the International Fleet Review (IFR), the government on Sunday denied the duo had any role to promote the mega maritime show.

“Brand ambassadors have to sell a brand. I don’t think they sold anything. There was no contract with them (Akshay and Kangana) and there was no payment. They were invited as guests. Ask the Navy for details,” Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said here on Sunday.

Naval officials on Sunday claimed the actors were not brand ambassadors of the international fleet review, where navies from 49 countries are participating. But a government press release issued on Friday, described them as “brand ambassadors” of the event and their presence as the highlight of the mega maritime show. While Akshay was present on the Presidential yacht INS Sumitra during the fleet review on Saturday, the actor and Kangana attended the inauguration a day before.

 Akshay tweeted photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi having a lighthearted moment with son Aarav, who accompanied his father. A second photograph showed Kumar taking a selfie with the Army Chief Gen Dalbir Singh.