Deepika Padukone’s JNU visit to result in loss of brands?

Top brands could be looking to reduce Deepika Padukone’s visibility after her appearance in support of JNU students during the release of her latest film, ‘Chhapaak.’

According to an report, the star’s unexpected appearance could affect her financially. Padukone had expressed solidarity with the students, who were allegedly attacked by a violent mob last Sunday.

“Normally, brands like to play safe and are wary of any controversy,” the report quoted Shashi Sinha, chief executive of IPG Mediabrands, which represents Coca-Cola and Amazon among others, as saying.

Padukone’s appearance led to social media trends such as #BoycottChhapaak. A report on The Print said that a promotional video featuring Deepika as part of the government’s Skill India campaign has been ‘abruptly dropped.’ There was a lot of support for the star too, both from within the industry as well as on social media. Previously, Aamir Khan was dropped as the brand ambassador for Snapdeal after he commented on the growing intolerance in the country.

“We have been told by a mid-sized brand to stall ads featuring Deepika for about two weeks. Hopefully, the controversy would have normalised by then,” an executive at a media buying company was quoted as saying. The head of a top celebrity management company said: “We are telling our celebrity clients the pros and cons of speaking up on political matters. While it’s entirely their personal choice, these can snowball into sensitive matters either way.”

Atul Kasbekar, meanwhile, said that he doesn’t believe “there will be a brand backlash for celebrities who’ve spoken their points of view.” Krossover Entertainment managing director Vinita Bangard agreed. She said, “I don’t think brands will back down from the current Deepika controversy. She believed in something and stood by it. While brands prefer an apolitical stand, celebrities who have a point of view should be free to express it.”

Padukone has a reported net worth of Rs 103 crore, and endorses 23 brands including Britannia’s Good Day, L’Oreal, Tanishq, Vistara Airlines and Axis Bank. She also has 26.8 million followers on Twitter.

Her latest movie ‘Chhapaak’ is out in cinemas now.

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