Bollywood superstar, Aamir Khan, ceases to be the mascot of Incredible India after 10 long years.
“I was happy to be of service to my country, and will always be available for it” , the actor stated and clarified that all public service films which he has done till date are free of cost.
“I respect the decision of the government to discontinue with my services. I am sure they will take all appropriate steps to do what is best for the country, ” Aamir said in a statement, a day after the Tourism Ministry announced that his contract for the campaign was over.
Many believe the end of Aamir’s face of Incredible India to be a consequence of the “intolerance” issue from November. Aamir had commented on the “growing intolerance” in India and had been attacked by many politicians, citizens and social sites as being anti-national. However, the Tourism Ministry confirmed that the contract for the “Atithi Devo Bhava” campaign was with the McCann Worldwide agency and it was through them that the actor was hired; the Ministry had no hand in either Mr. Khan’s hiring or the discontinuation of his services.
“It was the agency which has hired him. Since the contract with the agency is no more, automatically the arrangement with the actor no longer exists,” Union Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma said.
Big B Amitabh Bachchan is being considered as the first choice to replace Aamir for the “Incredible India” campaign.
Content writer : Pritha Mandal Photo Courtesy : Google