Actor Ranveer Singh has apologised for a Jack & Jones advertisement featuring him that was slammed for being sexist.
Through a press statement Ranveer Singh said, “It was important to give the brand creative freedom while designing their campaign, but I guess we got it wrong on one of those billboards and I’m sorry this happened but it’s a thing of the past. We rectified it immediately by having that hoarding taken down ASAP from everywhere over 30 cities overnight. I treat all women with the utmost respect both professionally and personally and would never do anything to disrespect them.”
In the ad Ranveer is seen in a corporate setting, wearing formals, carrying a girl on his shoulders. The headline reads “Don’t hold back. Take your work home.”
The billboard garnered negative comments from many, including actor Siddharth, who had this to say:
A new low for women’s rights in the workplace in India. What were they thinking? #Fail pic.twitter.com/3PW5mMaKOt
— Siddharth (@Actor_Siddharth) November 20, 2016
A similar incident took place last year when Kalyan Jewellers had to withdraw an advertisement showing Aishwarya reclining under a parasol held over her head by a ‘dark-skinned slave-boy’. The ad drew huge flak after an open letter described it as ‘insidiously racist’.
