Latest news with #non-Kannadiga
Indian Express
26-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Amid row over Tamannaah's appointment as KSDL brand ambassador, Karnataka minister MB Patil says ‘expert panel made decision'
Amid a controversy over appointing actor Tamannaah Bhatia as the brand ambassador for Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL), state Industries Minister M B Patil defended the decision, saying that the appointment was made based on the recommendations of an expert committee. Addressing a news conference, Patil said Monday that the actor was appointed purely on business grounds. 'An expert committee reviewed several factors before making the decision. Some other celebrities were also considered. But since they were under contract with competing brands, they could not be selected,' he said. A day earlier, BJP leaders, including its state president B Y Vijayendra, had questioned the necessity of appointing the actor to promote KSDL products. 'What was the necessity to appoint Tamannaah Bhatia? Who are the experts who recommended her name? Is there no one from our state who qualifies?' he told reporters in Mysuru. The actor was appointed ambassador for a two-year period from May 21, according to a government notification. She will receive a remuneration of Rs 6.2 crore to promote KSDL products during the period. Patil added that proactive measures are being taken to streamline KSDL's operations. 'We have enhanced the production capacity, and the company is now turning a profit. BJP leaders, who were indifferent when KSDL was incurring losses, are now issuing grand statements about protecting the state's interests,' he said, noting that 23 new products have been added to KSDL's lineup, with plans underway to launch dishwashing products and perfumes. Appreciate the intent to revive KSDL but the execution seems like an eyewash. Even from a business point of view especially when the company is dwindling imho Mysore sandal soap is iconic and carries huge legacy it doesn't need a brand ambassador (Amul, Apple, Dove, Amazon) By… — Ramya/Divya Spandana (@divyaspandana) May 26, 2025 Former Congress MP Divya Spandana also expressed her reservations with regard to the decision to appoint Tamannaah, saying that though she appreciated the intent to revive KSDL, 'the execution seems like an eyewash.' She argued that the Mysore Sandal Soap, manufactured by KSDL, is an iconic product and does not need a brand ambassador. 'By taking a non-Kannadiga as a brand ambassador to target the consumer market in the north they have alienated its own people, its core loyal consumer base- the Kannadiga. It fails us especially at a time when we're fighting to retain our Kannada pride,' she said in a post on X.
Hindustan Times
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Ramya questions ‘non-Kannadiga' Tamannaah Bhatia's appointment as Mysore Sandal Soap ambassador: ‘So out of touch'
The appointment of Tamannaah Bhatia as the brand ambassador for the Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL)-backed Mysore Sandal Soap has not gone down well. Actor Ramya, aka Divya Spandana, questioned the timing of making a 'non-Kannadiga' brand ambassador at a time when Karnataka was fighting for 'Kannada pride'. (Also Read: Tamannaah Bhatia's ₹6.2 crore deal as brand ambassador of Mysore Sandal Soap gets backlash; Karnataka minister defends) Ramya shared her opinion about Tamannah getting appointed the brand ambassador on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, writing, 'Appreciate the intent to revive KSDL but the execution seems like an eyewash. Even from a business point of view especially when the company is dwindling imho Mysore sandal soap is iconic and carries huge legacy it doesn't need a brand ambassador (Amul, Apple, Dove, Amazon).' Ramya also pointed out the obsession with fair skin after Tamannaah's appointment, 'Women have fought for centuries from voting rights to unrealistic beauty standards on runways to skincare to equal pay - and here we're still being told fair skin is aspirational. Mysore sandal soap's strength lies in its relatability - Clearly the ones involved are so out of touch.' A post shared by Ramya|Divya Spandana (@divyaspandana) She also posted a screengrab of an opinion piece she wrote for TOI, in which she highlighted, 'The outrage isn't against Tamannaah – she's merely a celebrity doing her job. It's about us. It's about a state-owned enterprise ignoring the profound, organic connection it already has with its people.' News broke last week that Tamannaah secured a ₹6.2 crore contract with the Karnataka government to serve as the brand ambassador for Mysore Sandal Soap for two years. The move was met with massive backlash, with many questioning why a Kannada star wasn't roped in for the role. MB Patil, Minister for Commerce & Industries, Infrastructure GoK, defended the decision and stated that the decision to rope her in was taken to penetrate the markets beyond Karnataka.
The Hindu
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Yaduveer declines to be brand ambassador for Mysore Sandal
MP for Mysuru Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar has declined to be the brand ambassador for Mysore Sandal even as an online campaign was launched demanding that he be made the face of the century-old product. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Mr. Yaduveer said as an MP he would do everything to promote Karnataka but it will not be appropriate for him to take up commercial promotion of products. His remarks have come in the backdrop of growing opposition to the appointment of actor Tamannaah Bhatia as the new face of the iconic brand. Mr. Yaduveer said he had opposed the choice of Ms. Bhatia as the brand ambassador on the grounds that Mysore Sandal is a Karnataka product and pride of Kannadigas. Hence, the brand ambassador should also be from Karnataka, he added. Referring to the government's justification that it wanted to promote the product across India, Mr. Yadueer said there were any number of stars from the film industry, sports, etc, who were known and recognised all over India and they could be selected. 'Besides, it need not only be a woman,' he added. The recent appointment of Tamannaah Bhatia, who hails from outside Karnataka, sparked online campaigns demanding that Mr. Yaduveer himself be made the brand ambassador. However, he clarified that while he supports promoting Karnataka's culture and identity, he is not interested in doing so for commercial purposes. Countering the argument that a non-Kannadiga was chosen to promote the product in North India, Mr. Yaduveer said there are people of Karnataka from the film industry, sports, and other fields who are known across India. In response to a question, Mr. Yaduveer said even actor Ramaya who belongs to the Congress has opposed the move and hence the State government should reconsider its decision.
Hindustan Times
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
A soap, a state, and a star: Why Tamannaah Bhatia's Mysore Sandal deal has Karnataka angry? Explained
The Karnataka government's decision to appoint actress Tamannaah Bhatia as the face of Mysore Sandal Soap has triggered a backlash, dragging the century-old brand into a fresh language row. The appointment, aimed at taking the iconic product to newer markets, has sparked protests from Kannada organisations and criticism from opposition leaders, who see the move as sidelining regional pride. Tamannaah, a prominent actor with a pan-India appeal but no Kannada roots, was roped in under a ₹6.2 crore, two-year contract. However, this high-profile endorsement has ignited strong reactions, with protestors questioning the logic of choosing a non-Kannadiga celebrity to represent a product so deeply associated with Karnataka's heritage. Mysore Sandal Soap is more than just a personal care product in Karnataka — it is a cultural symbol. The soap's origins date back to 1916, when the Maharaja of Mysore, Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar, and visionary Diwan Sir M Visvesvaraya established a government-run sandalwood oil factory. Two years later, in 1918, Mysore Sandal Soap hit the market, quickly becoming a staple in households across South India. Over the decades, Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL), the state-owned manufacturer of the soap, has grown into a major player in the personal care sector. The brand has diversified its offerings while retaining the iconic status of its original product. In 2016, Mysore Sandal Soap celebrated 100 years — a rare feat for any Indian brand. While critics are now raising concerns over a non-Kannadiga being chosen to promote the soap, this is not without precedent. In 2006, KSDL signed on Indian cricket star Mahendra Singh Dhoni — a national icon but with no Kannada connection — to endorse the brand. At the time, Dhoni was a rising force in Indian cricket, and the ₹80 lakh deal was considered a significant marketing push. However, the partnership ended on a sour note. In 2007, KSDL terminated Dhoni's contract, citing his inability to commit to promotional duties, and sought damages. Dhoni eventually won the legal battle in 2012. Since then, the brand has also been promoted by other non-Kannadiga faces, including actors Mugdha Godse and Parvati Nair, though none of their deals generated such political heat. So why has Tamannaah's endorsement sparked this level of opposition? Critics argue that while earlier appointments were less controversial, the current socio-political context — where language and identity politics have become deeply sensitive issues — has amplified the backlash. Royal family scion and Mysuru-Kodagu MLA Yaduveer Wadiyar joined the chorus of disapproval, calling the ₹6.2 crore deal 'illogical' and 'irrational.' Kannada organisations and language activists echo this sentiment, saying a brand rooted in Karnataka's legacy should be promoted by someone with Kannada roots. Some point out that the state has no shortage of Kannada-speaking celebrities with national reach. Actresses like Deepika Padukone, Rashmika Mandanna, and Pooja Hegde — all with ties to Karnataka — were seen as more appropriate choices. However, government sources claim these stars were beyond KSDL's budget, and Tamannaah was seen as a cost-effective, pan-India alternative. Facing mounting pressure, KSDL has stood by its decision, arguing that Tamannaah's mass appeal will help Mysore Sandal Soap expand its footprint beyond Karnataka. The company has not responded to growing demands to cancel the contract, while Tamannaah herself has remained silent on the controversy.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Minister defends govt's decision to appoint Tamannaah as Mysore Sandal Soap brand ambassador
Shivamogga: Primary and secondary education minister Madhu Bangarappa on Saturday supported the govt's decision to appoint multilingual actor Tamannaah Bhatia as the brand ambassador for Mysore Sandal Soap. He dismissed criticisms, stating that the govt's choice of ambassador is justified and appropriate. During an interaction with the media on Saturday, the minister responded to the BJP's objections regarding the appointment of a non-Kannadiga actor as the brand ambassador for Mysore Sandal Soap. He deemed their criticism insignificant and questioned their stance on watching films in different languages. He highlighted her work across multiple film industries. Referencing Shivanna's role in the Tamil film 'Jailer', the minister questioned the critics' viewing habits of films from various languages, dismissing their arguments as pointless. Questions ceasefire decision Meanwhile, Madhu also questioned the decision to halt military action against Pakistan that was initiated in response to the killings of tourists in Pahalgam. He criticised Trump's intervention and questioned the logic behind the India-Pakistan dialogue. He noted that while Congress supported military action, the govt opted for a ceasefire following Trump's intervention. He expressed disapproval of using third-party mediation to end a conflict that began with strong emotional undertones.
