AU Bank removes ad starring Aamir, Kiara after netizens protest

Last updated on July 25th, 2023 at 11:20 am

The newest AU Bank advertisement has been removed from its social media pages. The advertisement, which starred celebrities Aamir Khan and Kiara Advani, angered online users who charged the bank with discriminatory wokeism and hurting their religious feelings.

Instead of adhering to the Hindu custom of the bride leaving her home to live with her husband, Aamir Khan chooses to move into Kiara Advani’s house following their marriage in the advertisement.

The ad’s subject was in line with the bank’s #BadlaavHumseHai positioning, which began as modifications to how banks function with customers’ convenience.

#AamirKhan_Insults_Hindu Dharma trended on Twitter, where calls for a boycott of the bank and the actor were raised. Such trolling is nothing new for Khan; in 2021, his ad for CEAT Tyres also offended people’s religious sensibilities.

Aamir Khan’s last release ‘Laal Singh Chadda’ also faced boycott from fans. After some internet users saw Aamir Khan’s 2015 interview, in which he claimed that his then-wife Kiran Rao had proposed they move countries due to “increasing intolerance,” the boycott trend against Laal Singh Chaddha started.

Speaking about the backlash that the film received before its release, the actor said at a media event in Delhi, I am just keeping my fingers crossed and praying to the almighty, and I am having faith in my audience. Agar maine kisi ka dil dukhaaya hai kisi cheez se toh mujhe us baat ka dukh hai, main kisi ka dil nahi dukhaana chahta hun.

Aamir Khan previously responded to this trend by claiming that it “hurts” him when people discuss boycotting Bollywood and Laal Singh Chaddha. “I do feel sorry, yes. Additionally, I find it terrible that some of the individuals who are saying this secretly think I am someone who dislikes India. They have this belief in their hearts, although it is false. That some people feel that way is unfortunate. That is not true. Do not boycott my movie, please. Please view my movie “Aamir said.