| Colas
turn sour for Vijay, Vikram and Trisha!! |
Aug
09, 2006 |
|
|
Coke
and Pepsi are more than just beverages to
the cosmopolitan culture of the cities of
today. They are lifestyle statements, something
that is ‘cool’ to be associated
with. Hence, these brands are quite a rage,
especially among the youngsters. Both these
brands are MNCs and are doing roaring business
in our country, almost knocking out the
Indian soft drink manufacturers. But recent
reports have suggested, or rather ensured
that, while it may be ‘cool’
to consume these products, it might not
be safe enough. |
|
| Top
stars in trouble |
|
|
It
is alleged that Coke and Pepsi and
the other products from the same
manufacturers contain pesticides
at concentrations higher than what
can be considered safe. Almost all
the leading organizations in the
country have come out with an opinion,
almost all leading personalities
have had something to say about
this issue. But very conspicuous
by their absence, have been the
top stars of the film industry.
They have remained curiously silent.
|
|
|
| Silence
is golden? |
|
| Most
of the stars of the film industry have been
tongue tied for a very understandable reason.
Many of them have pledged their allegiance
to these brands a few years back. The contracts
still running, they are not able to come
out against these brands. Do they really
want to speak out against these brands?
We don’t know.
|
|
|
These brands have always employing
film stars as brand ambassadors for
sums that would raise a few eyebrows.
Reports are that the contract amounts
might run into crores, amounts that
stars get paid for acting in a full-length
feature film. So., this is a source
of easy and big money for the stars,
who would want to waste such an opportunity.
As a result, most of the big names
are associated with these brands.
This is exactly the reason for these
products becoming lifestyle statements. |
|
|
|
| Tamil
Nadu is reportedly among the states that
accounts for the highest sales of these
soft drinks. The reason is evident when
one looks at the names endorsing the products
in the state. Almost all the leading men
and ladies are associated with one brand
or the other. Want a list? Take it.
|
|
COKE
: Vijay, Vikram
PEPSI : Surya, Madhavan
FANTA : Trisha
MIRANDA : Asin, Vivek
This list includes almost the entire
lead cast of all the Deepavali releases put
together. |
|
| Sorry,
no comments |
|
|
What
are these stars planning to do in
the light of this new controversy?
Will they prefer to come out and
join the rest of the country in
the protests, or will they prefer
to lie low until all the hue and
cry dies down and then extend the
contract? It is not clear. When
the media tried to get a reaction
form the stars, they made their
escape wit a typical ‘no comments’
response. So much for their response.
|
|
|
|
But it is not fair to criticize only
the Tamil film world. Bollywood seems
to be neck deep in endorsements too,
with Shah Rukh Khan leading a band
of big stars who endorse the products.
The only person who has come out with
a clear response Aamir Khan, who has
said that if the allegations are proved
beyond doubt, then he will certainly
cancel his contract with Coke. But
only he might know what type of conformation
he is waiting for. |
|
|
|
| However,
the stars of Kollywood need not look up
north for inspiration. The two biggest names
of the industry, Superstar Rajinikanth and
Universal Hero Kamal have already shown
the path by making a policy of not acting
in any commercial. How many follow the example
remains to be seen.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
