TV Stars & Product endorsements

No reason other than the remuneration for endorsing products, says television stars on their advertising assignments.

SHOWBUZZ NETWORK
It's 0% Tobacco, 100% Taste, so goes the line for a tobacco brand endorsed by popular soap star couple, Gauri Pradhan and Hiten Tejwani. The recent spate of television stars endorsing brands seems to have caught everybody's attention. From washing powders to toilet cleaners, our very own saases and bahus have been there and done it all. So, what's with the current trend of soap stars advertising household products? We bring you news straight from the horses' mouth:

Hiten Tejwani
Plays the character of Karan in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and has advertised for Pan Parag. "There is no particular reason why I am endorsing this brand. The client asked me and my wife, Gauri to portray our on-screen characters Karan and Nandini because people like them in the serial and their popularity may rub off on the product."

Saakshi Tanwar
Plays the character of Parvati in Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki and has advertised for various products including Nerolac, Bajaj, Priyagold biscuits and Wheel detergent. "There is no denying the fact that I have bagged ads because of my image. Even then, I am not always asked to endorse a product as my on-screen character. For example, in the Wheel ad, they gave me a completely different look from my look in the serials that I have been working on."

Gauri Pradhan
Plays the character of Nandini in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and has advertised for many products including Pan Parag and Genus Invertors. "We are just models. We don't take these endorsements personally. But I would never do any gutka or cigarette ad. The product that I am endorsing is Pan Parag supari and not gutka. I do not know who the target audience for the products are as targeting is not in our hands. There is no focus shift on my side from soaps to ads, as I don't have the time for too many ads."

Shweta Tiwari
Plays the character of Prerna in Kasauti Zindagi Kii and has advertised for P.P. Jewellers, Nirma washing powder, Johnson baby oil and others. "The reason that I am endorsing products is simply because I am getting offers, nothing more and nothing less. I generally portray my on-screen characters in the ads because that is what the client wants."