The perils of being Shri Amitabh Bachchan…
We Indians are quite funny. We consistently confuse the messenger with the message.
Don't agree? The film PK directed by Rajkumar Hirani had its own share of controversies, but the person who took the brunt of the ire was Aamir Khan, the messenger, not Rajkumar, the creator.
As Indians grapple with the latest threat to their eating habits, the lead content in Maggi, no effigy burning, boycotting of the Nestle management is seen. The ire instead is directed at the sagely Big B, the man who endorsed the product.
Yes, the man, who with his power of endorsement can make brands seem larger than life..
To say that Mr Bachchan is a legend would be to state the obvious. In terms of sheer presence and personality, he brooks no comparison. He has a compelling magnetic aura that companies of all hues would love to use to endorse their brands.
When he speaks, there is an air of authenticity and reassurance, and makes the average Indian change his /her purchase behaviour. We Indians believe him, period.
And, therein lies the problem, the perils of being Shri. Bachchan.
With the Tamil Nadu state consumer disputes redressal commission sending a notice to Mr Bachchan on Maggi, the seemingly innocuous act of endorsing a brand has turned into a potential headache.
Let us take an imaginary fun ride into what this kind of misdirected ire can do to the life of Mr Bachchan.
Some NRI would have heard Big B say, Kutch Nahi Dekha hai to Kuch nahi Dekha and come to Gujarat. If due to sheer bad luck, that person has a bad experience, we can expect a notice being served on Big B.
We could go on..
A lady using Navratna Kesh tel and losing hair,
A husband having gone broke after his wife has spent his lifetime’s savings in Kalyan Jewellers,
A person turning diabetic after feasting on Cadbury’s chocolates...
Ah Mr Bachchan, our sympathies with you. You could be at the receiving end of any nonsense from any user of any product you endorse..
Does that mean the end of the road for Mr Bachchan the brand ambassador? Are there no products that he can endorse and feel safe from recrimination?
No, there is a glimmer of hope, the undergarments space seems to be non- threatening. They only meet the basic needs, they are well within everyone’s reach, they cannot cause damage as they are not edible, looks like a safe bet, doesn't it?
No no no, I am not suggesting that Mr B is actually seen sporting them, he can just lend his name.
And feel safe that he would not get into any legal hassles,
Till, God forbid, some research says that wearing undergarments for prolonged periods can cause impotence!!!
PS- I am a big fan of Big B, this is in lighter vein…
We Indians are quite funny. We consistently confuse the messenger with the message.
Don't agree? The film PK directed by Rajkumar Hirani had its own share of controversies, but the person who took the brunt of the ire was Aamir Khan, the messenger, not Rajkumar, the creator.
As Indians grapple with the latest threat to their eating habits, the lead content in Maggi, no effigy burning, boycotting of the Nestle management is seen. The ire instead is directed at the sagely Big B, the man who endorsed the product.
Yes, the man, who with his power of endorsement can make brands seem larger than life..
To say that Mr Bachchan is a legend would be to state the obvious. In terms of sheer presence and personality, he brooks no comparison. He has a compelling magnetic aura that companies of all hues would love to use to endorse their brands.
When he speaks, there is an air of authenticity and reassurance, and makes the average Indian change his /her purchase behaviour. We Indians believe him, period.
And, therein lies the problem, the perils of being Shri. Bachchan.
With the Tamil Nadu state consumer disputes redressal commission sending a notice to Mr Bachchan on Maggi, the seemingly innocuous act of endorsing a brand has turned into a potential headache.
Let us take an imaginary fun ride into what this kind of misdirected ire can do to the life of Mr Bachchan.
Some NRI would have heard Big B say, Kutch Nahi Dekha hai to Kuch nahi Dekha and come to Gujarat. If due to sheer bad luck, that person has a bad experience, we can expect a notice being served on Big B.
We could go on..
A lady using Navratna Kesh tel and losing hair,
A husband having gone broke after his wife has spent his lifetime’s savings in Kalyan Jewellers,
A person turning diabetic after feasting on Cadbury’s chocolates...
Ah Mr Bachchan, our sympathies with you. You could be at the receiving end of any nonsense from any user of any product you endorse..
Does that mean the end of the road for Mr Bachchan the brand ambassador? Are there no products that he can endorse and feel safe from recrimination?
No, there is a glimmer of hope, the undergarments space seems to be non- threatening. They only meet the basic needs, they are well within everyone’s reach, they cannot cause damage as they are not edible, looks like a safe bet, doesn't it?
No no no, I am not suggesting that Mr B is actually seen sporting them, he can just lend his name.
And feel safe that he would not get into any legal hassles,
Till, God forbid, some research says that wearing undergarments for prolonged periods can cause impotence!!!
PS- I am a big fan of Big B, this is in lighter vein…
