Covid19: Akshay Kumar Trolled For Endorsing Chyawanprash

Actor Akshay Kumar, who has been tested positive for covid19, is currently hospitalized and undergoing treatment for his discomfort. While his fans pray for his speedy recovery, the majority of them are slamming the actor. As we know Akshay Kumar is the face of Dabur Chyawanprash and he was earlier seen endorsing the product claiming that it will protect people from the deadly coronavirus.

Despite little evidence, the COVID-19 pandemic has given a big boost to the Ayurvedic and other alternative therapeutics industry. And Dabur Chyawanprash incessantly published advertisements in several newspapers, on its official website, and TV channels claiming the product could protect against COVID-19. It also claimed that they have conducted a clinical trial research study of the formula that supported the statement. But, no research of the said clinical study was shared on the website.

The sceptical results mentioned on the website claims that out of 351 participants who consumed Chyawanprash, 2.38% tested positive for COVID-19. 2.38% of 351 is 8.3538 and all of it turned out to be a hoax. NIIMH-CCRAS is also funding a study of Chyawanprash as a COVID-19 preventive agent in 1500 police personnel in Telangana. But as per their CTRI data, both the trials should have ended by now but there is no public record of their results.

Akshay Kumar, who is the brand ambassador for Dabur Chyawanprash since December 2020 reiterated in his advertisements that Chyawanprash helps in boosting immunity against Covid-19. And today, he is being trolled in lieu of sympathies. Netizens questioned him if the product’s efficacy tests were fabricated.

In the hands of marketers, advertising is one of the strongest tools. With so much competition in the multi-brand billion-dollar industry, marketing agencies need to attract customers. And it is usually done by catchy slogans and innovative advertisement with the face of celebrities. But none of them thinks about its authenticity or if the product actually does what it claims. It’s a sad world where movie stars act as opinion leaders and influence buyer’s perspective.