Moviegoers will no longer get to see Akshay Kumar’s anti-smoking ad, popularly referred to as the Nandu ad, in theatres going forward. A new report has revealed that the CBFC has decided to pull down the ad. The move has come six years after the ad first went live in theatres. It is unclear what prompted the decision to remove the ad but it has been reported that the ad will be replaced with an anti-tobacco ad.
A report by Bollywood Hungama noted that the ad was missing in the Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video as well. The decision to remove the ad was taken last month, the report claimed, and the new ad — which shows the positive impact of quitting tobacco is played instead.
A multiplex official told the platform that people will miss the ad. “It was my favourite anti-smoking ad as it gave out an important message without any disturbing visuals. It also used to be amusing to see moviegoers repeating the dialogue from the ad. After all, they were watching the ad for 6 years. The moviegoers had memorized all its lines! I am sure I am and many other moviegoers will surely miss the ad,” they said.
For the unversed, the ad featured Akshay Kumar and Ajay Singh Pal, who played Nandu. The ad featured Nandu smoking a cigarette while talking about his wife’s hygiene problems. Coincidentally, Akshay also starred in a film named Pad Man that drew focus on women’s hygiene and menstrual issues.
These public announcement ads were made mandatory in 2012 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Films were asked to play anti-smoking ads before the film’s beginning and after the intermission point.