A heavily bearded Brosnan appeared on the front page of Indian national newspapers and TV advertisements earlier this month to promote pan masala, a preparation that can contain tobacco, lime, spices and nuts, reports The Guardian. After an uproar – including from the Indian government, which has banned pan masala advertising – the company clarified that the specific variety Brosnan was promoting contained neither tobacco nor nicotine. Brosnan said on Friday he was “deeply shocked and saddened” that his image was used to promote a potentially harmful product. He said he had agreed to advertise a product that he was told was a “breath freshener/tooth whitener [and] all-natural, containing neither tobacco, supari, nor any other harmful ingredient”. Brosnan also claimed the company, Pan Bahar, had “grossly manipulated” the advertising campaign to suggest the former James Bond star endorsed its entire product line, “in violation of my contract”.

Source: Dhaka Tribune October 21, 2016 20:26 UTC