Adani Wilmar has stalled advertisements of its Fortune Rice Bran cooking oil which feature former Indian cricket team's captain and current BCCI President Sourav Ganguly, who recently suffered a heart attack.
The development comes after social media users criticised and trolled the advertisement campaign which promoted the brand as one which keeps the heart healthy. The tagline for the campaign read, 'Dada bole welcome to the 40s'.
Ganguly on Saturday underwent angioplasty after he was admitted to a Kolkata hospital with complaints of chest pain. He is now said to be stable.
Reports said that the advertisement featuring Ganguly has been removed across platforms and the agency behind the brand is looking into the issue.
Former Indian cricketer Kirti Azad also tweeted: "Dada @SGanguly99 get well soon. Always promote tested and tried products. Be Self-conscious and careful. God bless. #SouravGanguly."
Another Twitter user with the username '@vlp1994I' tweeted: "I remember Dada doing a commercial of Fortune Oil and talking about heart health and how you need to careful about cholesterol. Get well soon @SGanguly99. Can't wait to see you enjoy your Bong food once again with the same happiness and guilt free"
Adani Wilmar released a statement on Tuesday following the backlash saying ‘ricebran oil is not a medicine but only a cooking oil. There are several factors which affect heart ailments including dietary and hereditary issues,’.
Deputy CEO Angshu Mallick’s statement further added that the company TV commercial had only taken a temporary break.
‘We shall continue to work with Sourav and he will continue to be our brand ambassador. We have only taken a temporary break in our TV commercial till we again sit with Sourav and take things forward. This is a very unfortunate incident and can happen with anyone,’ he said.
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