“Youth Protest Against Celebrity Endorsements of Online Gaming Apps Gains Momentum”
Amid rising concerns over the influence of online gaming on the younger generation, a passionate gathering of protestors converged outside the Mumbai residence of renowned Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, known as Mannat. The event drew substantial police presence as demonstrators aired their grievances against celebrities who endorse online gaming applications. The protesters contended that these endorsements are leading astray and corrupting impressionable minds. Orchestrated by the Untouch Youth Foundation, the protest was primarily aimed at online gaming platforms such as Junglee Rummy and Zupee. The foundation’s official statement conveyed the sentiment underlying the protest, spotlighting the involvement of eminent actors and actresses in advertisements that purportedly contribute to societal bewilderment.
Krishchandra Adal, President of the Untouch Youth Foundation, articulated the motivation behind the protest, asserting, “Eminent actors and actresses who partake in these advertisements are inadvertently misleading our society. The protest at Shah Rukh Khan’s Mannat residence on behalf of the Untouch Youth Foundation seeks to address this issue. The new generation has increasingly become engaged with platforms like Junglee Rummy. While those found gambling or participating in Junglee Rummy outdoors are subject to legal consequences, influential Bollywood stars advocating for online games are exerting a misleading influence on our youth.” Adal went on to underscore the financial incentives associated with celebrity endorsements and urged an immediate halt to such promotional activities. “Even Bollywood celebrities acknowledge the ethical lapse in endorsing these applications, yet they continue to do so for monetary gains. It’s us, the general public, who contribute to their stardom by patronizing their movies and investing in their success. We demand the discontinuation of these advertisements. It’s important to note that these apps often skirt legality; they’re not easily accessible via platforms like Google but are rather hosted on private websites. In addition to Shah Rukh Khan, our opposition extends to figures like Ajay Devgn, RakulPreet Singh, Prakash Raj, Annu Kapoor, RanaDaggubati, and even cricketers who are associated with promoting online gaming. Our original plan was to stage demonstrations outside the residences of these celebrities, but we were hindered by law enforcement,” Adal disclosed.
The focal point of the protest was Shah Rukh Khan, who serves as the brand ambassador for A23 Games, an online rummy portal. The actor’s participation in promoting the gaming application served as a prime example of the concerns at the heart of the matter.
Notably, Shah Rukh Khan recently featured in a commercial for an online rummy portal, echoing the tagline “ChaloSaathKhelein” (Let’s Play Together) to encourage usage of the gaming app. The advertisement’s presence in the public domain has catalyzed conversations surrounding the larger impact of celebrity endorsements on youth.
As the movement gains momentum, the discourse surrounding the implications of celebrity involvement in endorsing online gaming platforms continues to intensify. It prompts critical examinations of the responsibility that public figures bear in shaping societal values and guiding impressionable minds. While the debate persists, the protests outside Shah Rukh Khan’s residence underscore the potent role celebrities play in influencing the choices and behaviors of the younger generation, spurring conversations about the ethical dimensions of such endorsements in the ever-evolving digital landscape.
News Mania Desk / Agnibeena Ghosh 29th August 2023
