James Bond series star Pierce Brosnan has surprised his Indian fans by endorsing a 'Pan Masala' brand. Brosnan has recently become the new face of Indian pan masala 'Pan Bahar' and is now seen in a new James Bond-style spoof advertisement for the brand.

"I am very excited to be chosen as the brand ambassador of a brand like Pan Bahar," the "Golden Eye" star said in a statement, News18 reported. "Pan Bahar, like Bond, has stood the test of time and is a winner in its own right. It has got class. That's something that never goes out of style," he added.

The 63-year-old actor is now facing criticism for appearing in the 'Pan Bahar' advertisement as many Indian fans of the Irish actor were shocked at his decision to endorse the cancer causing chewing product.

However, the creative agency behind the advertisement said the 'James Bond' actor was right choice for the Pan Bahar commercial. "Thanks to his previous avatar as James Bond, Mr Brosnan is seen the world over as a symbol of sophistication, suavity and success. And Pan Bahar, as his choice, reflects that aspiration in the consumer base we were targeting," a representative from the agency, DDB Mudra, said, New Delhi Television reported.

In January, a probe by India's advertising industry watchdog - Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) - found that many Bollywood celebrities had violated its code by endorsing 'Pan Masala' brands. Earlier, Delhi government had asked Indian actors, including Shahrukh Khan, Ajay Devgn and Sunny Leone, to refrain from endorsing 'Pan Masala' brands.

Watch Pierce Brosnan's new 'Pan Bahar' ad here.

 

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