Ranbir Kapoor has been unfair, or so some brand officials will say. The actor recently turned down a highly lucrative offer when a famous fairness cream brand approached him to be the brand ambassador for a period of two years. Ranbir, they say, does not believe in endorsing such products.
To a colour-crazy generation of youngsters, who are busy spending their parents' money on fairness products just because their idea of 'good-looking' is closer to a Russian ballerina with a painted face, Ranbir wants to send out a very clear message.
By not endorsing a product like a fairness cream, the actor wants to reiterate that such products only make racist stereotypes that already exist in our society, grow stronger roots.
Call it modesty, but Ranbir also knows he has a big fan following, that youngsters took to t-shirts with toon figures just days after Wake Up Sid hit the theatres.
And this is another reason why the actor feels that endorsing a fairness cream would actually be an irresponsible thing to do.
A source said, "Ranbir knows that there may be many who would end up blindly following what he does. He does not want to misguide anyone by saying that fairness creams 'improve your skin'.
Counted amongst the A-listers of Bollywood today, Ranbir has been swamped with films and brand endorsements since his career took off.
Though the actor met up with the officials of the fairness brand, he refused their offer immediately simply because he felt so strongly against it.
Although Ranbir remained unavailable for comments, a source close to him said, "He only endorses products that he believes in."
Whether Ranbir's refusal is a refreshing change in an otherwise colour-cognisant industry or just a publicity gimmick is up to his fan's to decide.
Interestingly, the actor's ex-girlfriend Deepika Padukone endorses a popular brand of fairness products.
P.S. So does Katrina Kaif. But that's just an aside.