IFR ambassadors’ row: Parrikar says ‘no contract’ with Akshay, Kangana

Visakhapatnam : Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Sunday said that the ministry had made no contracts with Bollywood actors Akshay Kumar and Kangana Ranaut to be the brand ambassadors of International Fleet Review (IFR).

Talking to journalists on the sidelines of the International Maritime Conference here, Parrikar said the brand ambassador’s work is to sell the brand and according to him no selling was done by these two stars.

“They were definitely invited but no contract or money has been paid to them,” he said.

“As far as Ministry of Defence is concerned, there is no contract with them for brand ambassador,” he added.

The government’s Defence Wing in a press release earlier said that “the highlight of the event was the presence of Bollywood actors Akshay Kumar and Kangana Ranaut, the Brand Ambassadors of IFR, at the event.”

Akshay and Kangana participated in the opening ceremony of IFR at INS Sathavahana Stadium on Friday.

About 50 navies from across the world are participating in the IFR, the second of its kind and the largest military exercise by India. (ANI)