Won’t do any fairness ad again: Sonali Bendre

Mumbai, Sep 30 : Actress Sonali Bendre, who has in the past endorsed a fairness cream, is now not willing to be a brand ambassador of any such products which promote bias on skin tone.

At an event here, Sonali was asked to comment on the incident involving "Parched" actress Tannishtha Chatterjee’s complaint about being ‘roasted’ for her skin tone on a TV comedy show.

Sonali said: "I think making jokes about somebody’s skin tone is absolutely wrong. However, I am glad that everybody is becoming conscious of these things. So am I. I have done a couple of fairness ads in the beginning of my career. Having said that, today if I am offered, I won’t do any fairness ad again."

The actress earlier endorsed Emami Naturally Fair. But she says, "I was young and needed money, so I didn’t really think about it."

"But I think it is time we all need to ponder over endorsing products that stereotype women," added the 41-year-old.

Commenting on how Pakistani artistes are being banned from working in Bollywood, Sonali said: "Film industry is always a soft target."

"There are lot of other things that need to get sorted out. If you look at it from a business perspective, there are other businesses also. If we are stopping a business with Pakistan, then every business needs to stop. If all dealings are barred and not just film actors, I would respect that decision."