Bengaluru, May 23 (UNI) Karnataka Industries Minister M B Patil on Friday defended the appointment of actress Tamannaah Bhatia as the brand ambassador for Mysore Sandal Soap, stating that the decision was based solely on business considerations and market strategy, not on language or regional preferences.
Amid criticism from pro-Kannada groups over the choice of a non-Kannadiga celebrity to represent the state’s iconic brand, Patil clarified that the selection was made by a committee headed by Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL) chairman, after evaluating several leading actresses.
"Tamannaah Bhatia was chosen after considering multiple factors. Other names like Rashmika Mandanna, Kiara Advani, Pooja Hegde and Deepika Padukone were considered, but many were already associated with competing products. Tamannaah has a following of 2.8 crore, and that reach is vital for a national and global push," he told reporters.