The Irish actor Pierce Brosnan has apologised to the people of India for the “unauthorised and deceptive use” of his image in an advertising campaign for a chewing mixture that sometimes contains tobacco.
Brosnan said on Friday he was “deeply shocked and saddened” that his image was used to promote a potentially harmful product.
After an uproar – including from the Indian government, which has banned pan masala advertising – the company clarified that the specific variety Brosnan was promoting contained neither tobacco nor nicotine.
A heavily bearded Brosnan appeared on the front page of Indian national newspapers and TV advertisements earlier this month to promote pan masala, a preparation that can contain tobacco, lime, spices and nuts.