Bengaluru: Workers from several pro-Kannada organisations staged a protest in Bengaluru demanding the removal of actress Tamannaah Bhatia as the brand ambassador for Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL), the manufacturer of Mysore Sandal Soap. The move by the Karnataka government to appoint the actress has sparked criticism, especially after reports revealed she was offered ₹6.2 crore for the endorsement.
Appointed on May 22, Bhatia’s selection has drawn flak from groups who questioned why a non-Kannada actor was chosen to represent one of Karnataka’s most iconic brands.
Karnataka’s Minister for Large and Medium Industries, MB Patil, addressed the controversy in a press conference, clarifying that the decision was based on strategic business and marketing recommendations, not linguistic bias.
“This is about business and global branding. We must take Karnataka’s products to the national and global stage,” Patil stated. He added that while he deeply respects Kannada identity, the decision was based on the actress’s popularity and influence — with over 2.8 crore followers and a strong youth appeal.
He further explained that alternative actresses like Rashmika Mandanna were already signed to other brands, while Pooja Hegde and Kiara Advani were unavailable, and Deepika Padukone would exceed KSDL’s budget.
While assuring that there should be space for local talent in such decisions, Patil emphasized that KSDL is targeting ₹5,000 crore in sales by 2030, and high-impact marketing is a key pillar in achieving that goal.
Meanwhile, Tamannaah is preparing for her upcoming film VVAN, a folk thriller alongside Sidharth Malhotra, slated for release on May 15, 2026. Set in the dense forests of Central India, the movie promises a gripping blend of myth, mystery, and adventure.
