After Pierce Brosnan alleged deception, Pan Bahar issues statement in defence

After Pierce Brosnan accused Pan Bahar of deceptively using his image to sell its product, the brand has now come up with a statement in its defence.

The Hollywood actor had received much flak on social media after he appeared on a Pan Bahar ad, endorsing the product. Soon Pierce apologised and said that the brand had "grossly manipulated" the media into believing that he had endorsed a tobacco product.

Nevertheless, Pan Bahar has now issued a statement saying that the product does not contain tobacco and nicotine. "This is hereby certified that Pan Bahar and Pan Bahar Crystal Pan Masala manufactured by us do not contain tobacco and nicotine and there is no tobacco product made under this brand name," the brand said in a statement to the Times of India.

The report also quoted a source from the brand saying that Pierce was informed that Pan Bahar is a pan masala/mouth freshener and there was no manipulation by the company in the contract.

Earlier, in an interview with People magazine, Pierce had said: "As a man who has spent decades championing women's healthcare and environmental protection, I was distressed to learn of Pan Bahar's unauthorised and deceptive use of my image to endorse their range of pan masala products. I would never have entered into an agreement to promote a product in India that is dangerous to one's health."

"Having endured, in my own personal life, the loss of my first wife and daughter as well as numerous friends to cancer, I am fully committed to supporting women's healthcare and research programs that improve human health and alleviate suffering," he had added.