Amid an issue over appointing actor Tamannaah Bhatia because the model ambassador for Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Restricted (KSDL), state Industries Minister M B Patil defended the choice, saying that the appointment was made based mostly on the suggestions of an professional committee.
Addressing a information convention, Patil stated Monday that the actor was appointed purely on enterprise grounds. “An professional committee reviewed a number of elements earlier than making the choice. Another celebrities had been additionally thought-about. However since they had been underneath contract with competing manufacturers, they might not be chosen,” he stated.
A day earlier, BJP leaders, together with its state president B Y Vijayendra, had questioned the need of appointing the actor to advertise KSDL merchandise. “What was the need to nominate Tamannaah Bhatia? Who’re the specialists who really helpful her title? Is there nobody from our state who qualifies?” he instructed reporters in Mysuru.
The actor was appointed ambassador for a two-year interval from Could 21, in keeping with a authorities notification. She is going to obtain a remuneration of Rs 6.2 crore to advertise KSDL merchandise through the interval.
Patil added that proactive measures are being taken to streamline KSDL’s operations. “We’ve enhanced the manufacturing capability, and the corporate is now turning a revenue. BJP leaders, who had been detached when KSDL was incurring losses, at the moment are issuing grand statements about defending the state’s pursuits,” he stated, noting that 23 new merchandise have been added to KSDL’s lineup, with plans underway to launch dishwashing merchandise and perfumes.
Admire the intent to revive KSDL however the execution looks like an eyewash.
Even from a enterprise viewpoint particularly when the corporate is dwindling imho Mysore sandal cleaning soap is iconic and carries big legacy it doesn’t want a model ambassador (Amul, Apple, Dove, Amazon)By… pic.twitter.com/5f5Pz6vXWd
— Ramya/Divya Spandana (@divyaspandana) May 26, 2025
Former Congress MP Divya Spandana additionally expressed her reservations with regard to the choice to nominate Tamannaah, saying that although she appreciated the intent to revive KSDL, “the execution looks like an eyewash.”
She argued that the Mysore Sandal Cleaning soap, manufactured by KSDL, is an iconic product and doesn’t want a model ambassador. “By taking a non-Kannadiga as a model ambassador to focus on the buyer market within the north they’ve alienated its personal folks, its core loyal shopper base- the Kannadiga. It fails us particularly at a time after we’re combating to retain our Kannada delight,” she stated in a publish on X.
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