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Aamir Khan is no longer brand ambassador for Incredible India — and he's okay with it
Celebrity

Aamir Khan is no longer brand ambassador for Incredible India — and he's okay with it

"Whether I am brand ambassador or not, India will remain Incredible, and that’s the way it should be," said the actor
Images Staff
07 Jan, 2016

Aamir Khan is a busy man, but it seems like he now has one less thing on his plate: the actor is no longer the brand ambassador of the Indian government's vast campaign called Incredible India.

When word of this got out there was speculation about whether this was merely due to Aamir's contract with the Tourism Ministry coming to an end or his remarks about 'rising intolerance' prevailing in India. His remarks had landed him in hot water; even Anupam Kher took to Twitter to call out the actor on his supposedly "anti-India" comments.

Also read: You need to spread hope, not fear, says Anupam Kher to Aamir Khan

However, the tourism ministry quickly clarified its stance. “Our contract was with McCann Worldwide. It was the agency which had hired him [Aamir Khan]. Since the contract with the agency is no more, automatically the arrangement with the actor no longer exists,” Union Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma said.

Issuing a statement, Aamir Khan welcomed the government’s decision.

“It has been an honour and a pleasure for me to be the Brand Ambassador for the Incredible India campaign for the past 10 years," stated Khan. "I was happy to be of service to my country and will always be available for it. I would like to clarify that all public service films I have done till date have all been free of any cost to me."

He gracefully accepted that the government is heading in a different direction.

"It is the prerogative of the government to decide whether they need a brand ambassador for any campaign, and if so, who that ambassador should be. I respect the decision of the government to discontinue with my services. I am sure they will take all appropriate steps to do what is best for the country. Whether I am brand ambassador or not, India will remain Incredible, and that’s the way it should be."

Asked specifically whether Aamir was still the Tourism Ministry’s brand ambassador, the minister said: "Definitely not”.

Rumour has it that veteran Amitabh Bachchan has become the new mascot for the nationwide campaign.

Comments

jab Jan 07, 2016 05:38pm
I think this shouldn't be politicised as the company (McCann) got it's contract over, so the GOI had contract with company and Aamir had contract with company.... please not everything links to religion, at least that is not how things work here
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M Jan 07, 2016 05:43pm
Intolerant move
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atheist Jan 07, 2016 05:43pm
The contract between government and company who hired aamir Khan , ended on Wednesday and hence aamir Khan automatically relieved for this role , moreover a person who himself is planning to settle another country is not appropriate for the promotion of "incredible India" and "atithi devo bhava".
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Sunil Jan 07, 2016 05:49pm
If a woman is behind man success, but in Amir Khan's case, his wife Kiran is behind the downfall.
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M.Saeed Jan 07, 2016 06:02pm
A septuagenarian Amitabh a brand Ambassador in place of young Amir is definitely a tourism in the past.
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wellwisher Jan 07, 2016 06:06pm
why should he be brand ambassador of a country he wants to leave.
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Kailash Jan 07, 2016 06:25pm
It was bound to happen. Even the brands he as representing distanced themselves from Aamir. There is demand in social media circle to make Akshay Kumar the brand Ambassador for Incredible India. He has donated more than a crore rupees to farmers in Maharashtra without any publicity.
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Ram Jan 07, 2016 06:45pm
great power brings great responsiblity, Amir Khan is a multi-million bollywood actor who can afford to settle down anywhere in the world, however he simply forgot that thousands young men to come to Mumbai every day with dream of becoming Amir Khan or Sharuk Khan they may be Hindus or Muslims, these young men look upto these guys who consider them as there heroes, may be he should have considered them before playing politics.
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A Fakir Jan 07, 2016 07:00pm
He was an incredible Brand Ambassador in his Tenure but his remarks that there is increasing intolerance in India is a fact and cannot be denied.One of the intolerance's is that the Government of India does not react well to criticisms. Hence his departure, as we will see that SRK will also get a raking over. Maybe Anupam Kher will get a few extra contracts thrown his way.
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Khurram Khan Jan 07, 2016 07:03pm
let's start incredible Pakistan. Be our ambassador :)
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Ajaya K Dutt Jan 07, 2016 07:26pm
India is getting intolerant to false, exaggerated accusations and unending terrorist attacks. This has to end. Both of these evil trends are going on only because of tolerant India.
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Madhusudan Jan 07, 2016 07:29pm
Poor thing aamir khan"s one immature statement, tarnished his image. Otherwise he is good actor and decent man.
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Ram Jan 07, 2016 07:39pm
Thank you Amir Khan for confirming again that partition is really worth it and it is also unfinished business since many Pakistanis missed the train, next time Modi makes pitstop at lahore please hitch a ride
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Hamza Jan 07, 2016 08:03pm
Does freedom of speech prevails in India?
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Ajay vikram Singh Jan 07, 2016 08:04pm
Amitabh bachchan is the right choice.
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MUHAMMAD MUBASHIR Jan 07, 2016 08:30pm
Even the brand ambassador of Incredible India campaign have to think to shift , that shows the intolerance in India quite well.
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BRILLIANT Jan 07, 2016 08:42pm
We like to know what his wife, Kiran Rao has to say. It is very important.
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Muhammad Irfan Jan 07, 2016 09:34pm
Amitabh or Aamir...doesn't matter...both are legendary figures...I love both and fan of both...the thing is that we must not politicize each & every situation or course and think positively...!!!
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Imran Jan 07, 2016 10:15pm
I feel bad for him. He has to live in India so the only option was to swallow his pride and act nice. It is a loss for India and its secular image. But perhaps the secular image is just a myth and finally the real India is emerging from its shadows. In this case amitab is a great choice to reflect the majority religion in the country.
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kalpa Jan 07, 2016 10:33pm
India Govt has made comfortable for him by taking him off of Incredible India campaign. He would have been embarrassed giving intolerance statements and at the same time campaigning this. he should be thankful to it and try to apply Visa to the secured country or planets.
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Malik Jan 07, 2016 10:43pm
Well whatever the case is ... the basic right for everyone on earth is freedom of speech .... that does not seem to exist in India ... and if to tell u the truth ... top countries in the world are at the top only and only because they are more tolerable .... I think Aamir did a great thing one step further in making his country better ....
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Turan Jan 07, 2016 11:04pm
@Hamza why was aamir arrested for that. Didn't other who condemned his comment had the right of speech. Aamir used his right , so does the others
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ShubVratChowder Jan 08, 2016 12:20am
@MUHAMMAD MUBASHIR Aamir said that his wife and him are considering leaving India why should he be the brand ambassador ? If one of your own makes an Anti Pak statement, will you consider him to be a representative of Pakistan ? So think before you make a remark.
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kuttathi Jan 08, 2016 12:47am
For the last 10 years we see his face on Incredible India campaign.Good that the contract is over and his hypocrisy is being exposed.Time for a change.
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Dev Jan 08, 2016 12:53am
@atheist Your statement reeks of bigotry and intolerance. I hope people like you shall not remain the now face of India.
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Dev Jan 08, 2016 12:55am
@wellwisher Why are you being such a bigot and an intolerant person? Re read his comments and what he said. And in my mind India has become intolerant.
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Dev Jan 08, 2016 01:01am
@BRILLIANT Her logical answer should be, "I told you so and now my fears are proving right"!!!!!
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kuttathi Jan 08, 2016 01:03am
Why can't a female be the ambassador of Incredible India? Like Priyanka Chopra or Aiswarya with Amithabh Bachan?
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Harsha Subbaiah Jan 08, 2016 01:08am
Sad that every Pakistani feels that Amir Khan wants to migrate to Pakistan! Go hitch a ride like one of the concern said! By the way he married a Hindu wouldn't that be a bummer for you guys!
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Harsha Subbaiah Jan 08, 2016 01:10am
@Malik by the way big guy, the champion of freedom of speech! If that freedom wasn't there he couldn't have told those lines that he did about intolerance! Or if we were like China! He wouldn't even dare step out of his house! So chill out!
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SK Jan 08, 2016 02:30am
@kalpa I don't understand what the fuss is . Amir' s statement was based on current trend in the. Country such as killings for supposedly eating beef , threat to Artist visitors , victimising those standing up against intolerance by splashing ink. Labelling those who dare to speak out , aren't all these acts symbol of intolerance. Shev Sena should be reigned in , it is emerging as a terrorist organisation , India so much loathe across the border.
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Sarfaraz Jan 08, 2016 03:17am
@ShubVratChowder He did not make anti-India remarks. Stop branding everyone as anti-national if he/she disagrees with certain things.
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expatriate Jan 08, 2016 03:22am
AAmir had been a good ambassador for India. With changing times, there is a need for new ambassador.
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AXH Jan 08, 2016 06:22am
The intolerance is obvious from the comments from the comments posted by the Indians here. It is funny that when Adnan Sami got the Indian citizenship, a lot of Indians commented on Dawn that the grass was greener on their side and that is why Adnan chose to settle in India. However, when Amir Khan mentioned that he might move out of India because of intolerance that was being shown by the various sections of the society, the same Indians started questioning his patriotism.
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East Indian Jan 08, 2016 07:27am
How can someone doubt tolerance of india and speaking of deserting india , can be brand ambassador of india?
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Will Shant Jan 08, 2016 07:39am
He has proven that Indian muslims love Pakistan
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Najma Hisham Jan 08, 2016 09:16am
Aamir Khan is the true son of India. He has got bigger and better things to do anyway. When tourism India talks about India being secular and tolerant, they need to take a hard look at themselves first.
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Roshan Jan 08, 2016 09:52am
@Najma Hisham Madam, people are going to their respective religious places, enjoying their ethnic festivals, decorating their houses as per their traditions...making use of loudspeakers and processions during their programmes...what else you expect from a Secular state??..has anyone ever been tried for any religion related law in India?...India is the best Secular nation in this planet...!
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naresh Jan 08, 2016 10:01am
@Imran u know nothing about india and freedom of speech. india is tolerant thats y he is given speech like this and still we are seeing his picture.can minority of pakistan can give a speech like this... But one thing worries me being a celebrity who is a ikon symbol to others should be shown some kind of maturity in his speech
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logic Jan 08, 2016 10:15am
@Malik Yes it exists only in Pakistan..
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BRILLIANT Jan 08, 2016 11:02am
He can still take his family and move out of India...NRI bollywood stories are passe, but he can pull it off.
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cc Jan 08, 2016 11:08am
Trying to outdo Sharukh in ‘intolerance’ debate had landed Amir in this mess! If actors wants to be activists, they should willing to give up a bit while taking up causes in that they believe in!!!
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Gnanesh Jan 08, 2016 11:33am
Aamir is a superb actor and a good citizen of the country. He might have his own views on tolerance or otherwise in the country. It was wrong on people who criticized him for what he said. He should have been left alone with his thoughts and what we had said. But at the same time, Aamir should have really pondered over the fact that a movie like PK which lampooned religious bigotry was a huge success and added sheen to his acting career. Such a movie couldn't have been made in an intolerant country, and much less become a success. God knows what would have happened if was made in other countries. And to our friends across the border - pl. make one movie like PK with your big stars and make it a big success like PK. Then we will listen.
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Bol Radha Bol Sangam Jan 08, 2016 03:16pm
@Najma Hisham , Well said Najma, Aamir Sahib has also given his time and energy as spokesperson for agencies to stop female infanticide in India, bride burning because of dowry and fighting child malnutrition in India. He does not even charge a cent for his work.
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irshad Jan 08, 2016 04:51pm
you have to pay some price to speak up in this world.
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Aqeel Jan 10, 2016 04:44pm
This is the price you've pay to speak the truth.. moreover, It clarifies that India is definitely in Extremist hands. Fear has taken over everything in that country. Regrettable although..
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Hassan Jan 10, 2016 07:00pm
Amir Khan is punished for speaking the truth.....
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Habib Jan 11, 2016 04:39pm
Contract is over so get new theme and face
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