Divya Dutta reacts after Tanishq removed its controversial ad
After Tanishq pulled down its baby shower advertisement, Bollywood actress Divya Dutta, who lent her voice to the ad, has condemned the decision of the company. The advertisement featured a Muslim family celebrating a traditional South Indian baby shower ceremony for their pregnant daughter-in-law.
The advertisement, released last week, has been receiving flak from a group of social media users who felt that the ad promoted ‘love jihad’.
Answering a Twitter user, Divya Dutta said, “Yes it’s my voice. It s sad it’s taken off air. I loved it.”
Another user wrote that they had ‘nothing against her but ‘but wrong is wrong’. In a reply to the tweet, Divya wrote, “But sir don’t we all promote brotherhood?? We as India are all about that. That’s our soul sir. Unity in diversity bachpan mein sunte the. Aise to kitne ads hote the. Koi kuch nai kehta tha.. par chalein sabke apne vichar (We used to be told of our unity in diversity. There are so many other ads that no one comments about, but to each his own)!”
But sir don’t we all promote brotherhood?? We as India are all about that. That’s our soul sir. Unity in diversity bachpan mein sunte the. Aise to kitne ads hote the. Koi kuch nai kehta tha.. par chalein sabke apne vichar! 🙏🏻🙏🏻
— Divya Dutta (@divyadutta25) October 13, 2020
Earlier, Tanishq released a statement and said that it pulled the advertisement “keeping in mind…the well being of our employees, partners and store staff.”
“The idea behind the Ekavatam campaign is to celebrate the coming together of people from different walks of life, local communities and families during these challenging times and celebrate the beauty of oneness. This film has stimulated divergent and severe reactions, contrary to its very objective. We are deeply saddened with the inadvertent stirring of emotions and withdraw this film keeping in mind the hurt sentiments and well being of our employees, partners, and store staff,” the statement reads.
— Tanishq (@TanishqJewelry) October 13, 2020
Besides, Divya, other actresses Richa Chadha and Swara Bhasker were also against the removal of the ad. While Kangana Ranaut claimed that it promoted ‘sexism’ and ‘love jihad’.
On the other hand, author Chetan Bhagat expressed his views by saying, “Dear #tanishq, most people attacking you can’t afford you anyway. And given where their thinking will take this economy, they soon won’t have jobs and hence definitely won’t able to buy anything from #tanishq in the future too. Don’t worry about them.”
Notably, the ad was for Tanishq's new collection, called "Ekatvam", which literally means "oneness".
"Each jewel from #EkatvamByTanishq, is meticulously crafted using art forms from across the country. Over 1000 Karigars have spent countless hours creating these jewels that are a captivating ode to the beauty of oneness. #TanishqWaliDiwali," a tweet on the official Twitter account read.
First published: 14 October 2020, 10:25 IST