Bollywood celebrities earn a handsome amount of money through movies. But not all of them are satisfied with the income as they crave to earn more money through advertisements, endorsing brands and so on. Case in point, celebrities are often being targeted by netizens for promoting skin lightening products.
However, several Bollywood celebrities turned down lucrative millions for endorsing fairness creams. In this listicle, we will take a look at the list of 8 celebrities who turned down lucrative deals.
Anushka Sharma
Anushka Sharma is currently one of the highest-paid actresses in the industry. She has not only proven her worthiness as an actress, but she has also founded her own production and clothing business. In 2015, she declared that she would never promote a fairness product.
Anushka stated, “I would not endorse products that propagate racist and sexiest and propagate social taboo. I don’t want to endorse products that propagate fair skin and all. I will not propagate anything that says this is right or wrong.”
Abhay Deol
Abhay Deol is one of the most talented actors in the Indian film industry. The actor didn’t endorse any skin lightening brands.
In the past, Abhay Deol started a debate on how important it is for celebrities to choose carefully and not indulge in endorsement deals that are not ethically correct.
Kangana Ranaut
In 2013, Bollywood actress was offered around INR 2 crores to promote a fairness creme but Kangana Ranaut turned down the deal. Even during an interview, the actress expressed her views about such products openly by saying: ”Ever since I was a kid, I have never understood the concept of fairness.
Especially, in such a case, as a celebrity, what kind of an example would I be setting for younger people? I have no regrets about turning this offer down. As a public figure, I have responsibilities.” The actress has always been known for her bold statements and fearless stand in the industry.
Sushant Singh Rajput
Late Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput set a great example two years ago when he turned down a lucrative deal that was meant to promote skin lightening products. According to reports, Sushant Singh rejected a fairness cream endorsement deal for which he was apparently being offered a staggering sum of Rs 15 crore.
For Sushant, money was always not the issue and he reportedly felt that is every actor’s duty to not involve in sending out incorrect messages and was against the idea of endorsing such creams. It was said to be a three-year-long deal that required Sushant Singh Rajput to shoot for as many as six commercials.
A source said, as quoted by Mid-Day, “Sushant doesn’t believe in endorsing such products. So despite it being a lucrative offer, he immediately turned it down. He feels that he needs to be responsible for the kind of products he lends his face to, as several people look up to him.”
He also added that he does not really believe in endorsing or promoting the philosophies of choosing one skin tone over another. “As responsible actors, it is our duty to not indulge in sending out incorrect messages. We should not, in any way, endorse or promote the ideology of preferring one skin tone over another.”
Randeep Hooda
The highway actor, Randeep Hooda is one of the most powerful actors in the top list. He has changed the entire era by venturing more and more into realistic films. His dark and toned appearance has made him quite popular among his female fans.
The actor also shared how he had had turned down a lucrative offer for a men’s fairness creme endorsement deal. He said, “The idea of beauty being fair should be demolished. I was offered big money for this project… but I refused, as everything can’t always be about money.”
Nandita Das
The actress turned filmmaker is the main face behind the campaign called ‘Dark Is Beautiful’. It is to be noted that the campaign was initiated by Women of Worth (WOW) in 2009. The bold and beautiful actress joined it in 2013. The 32-year-old had always been vocal about the fairness products.
Kalki Koechlin
Kalki was sexually assaulted as a child, but she used her platform to advocate for today’s victims and encourage them to step up and fight back. Kalki Koechlin was one of the Bollywood celebrities who turned down lucrative fairness deals.
She once said in an interview that she would never endorse fairness brand. “I don’t think there is anything wrong with being fair, but it has become such an obsession in our country that it is all we look for in beauty.
There are so many stunning people who are dark-skinned and it should be celebrated. I would love to have a product that makes me darker,” she added.
Bipasha Basu
Bengali beauty Bipasha was always beautiful, but we think the fresh, more glamorous look she’s aiming for now suits her even better. Bipasha has maintained her figure like a pro and we are awed by her stunning legs and radiant smile.
She appears to be a real Hollywood celebrity, glamorous and beautiful, capable of a red carpet debut. For the wondering, Bipasha Basu changed people’s mindsets by explaining that ‘Dark is Beautiful’ in the true sense. The actress has always stood against all fairness products.