A recent advertisement for a clothing line that features Ranveer Singh received a lot of backlash on social media as well as from other celebrities for demeaning women and promoting sexism. The ad features Singh in the brand’s office attire, carrying a woman over his shoulder, presumably a secretary, with the following tagline: ‘Don’t Hold Back. Take Your Work Home.’
Responding to the criticism, Singh issued a statement along with an apology. “[I] would never do anything to disrespect women,” he stated. “It was important to give the brand creative freedom while designing their campaign, but I guess we got it wrong on one of those billboards and I’m sorry this happened but it’s a thing of the past. We rectified it immediately by having that hoarding taken down as soon as possible from everywhere in over 30 cities overnight. I treat all women with the utmost respect both professionally and personally.”
On another occasion, Singh noted that he wouldn’t mind being objectified by other men or women. “I love when I’m positioned as a sex symbol,” he admitted. “It’s like the best thing ever. I don’t want to be known as the best actor or the guy whose films made most money, just call me the sexiest, the hottest, and the most desirable,” the 31-year-old star concluded.
The actor is currently busy in the promotions of his upcoming film Befikre and will soon begin shooting for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmavati that also stars Deepika Padukone and Shahid Kapoor in pivotal roles.