October 16, 2024: Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar has been in the news this year not only for his major film releases but also for his unforgettable cameo in Stree 2. While Rajkummar Rao’s Vicky brought the laughs and Shraddha Kapoor delivered a strong performance, Akshay’s brief appearance as Sarkata’s descendant sent the crowd into a frenzy. Known for his memorable cameos, Akshay has now made headlines for a different reason — his popular anti-smoking advertisement, which played in theatres before every film, has reportedly been discontinued.
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The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has decided to pull down Akshay’s widely recognized anti-smoking commercial, replacing it with a new ad. In the original video, Akshay, riding a bicycle, confronts Nandu (played by Ajay Singh Pal) outside a hospital and asks him why he’s smoking (“foo foo”). Upon learning about Nandu’s wife being in the hospital, Akshay emphasises the importance of spending money on sanitary pads instead of cigarettes, delivering a strong public health message.
Fans and moviegoers are already expressing nostalgia for the iconic ad, which had become a staple in Indian theatres. Many netizens have taken to social media, with one commenting, “Mukesh and Nandu will remain in our memory,” bidding farewell to the advertisement that accompanied countless movie screenings.
As Akshay continues to make headlines for his work, fans will undoubtedly miss the familiar sight of the ad before their favourite films.
