Andhra Pradesh refuses to yield, star' says no honour

VIJAYAWADA: Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn and his wife Kajol have reportedly refused to be the brand ambassadors of Andhra Pradesh Tourism. An oral communication in this regard has reached the government, sources said.

The couple had visited the capital on April 12, and met Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu over a business proposal: Devgn reportedly placed his request regarding allotment of a project to his close associate.

The project was related to Lidar Survey technology, with which geo-tagging could be done and special photographs taken. Sources said he made a PowerPoint presentation to Mr Naidu.

Deeply impressed with the presentation, the Chief Minister reportedly advised a team of officials to find out the possibilities to use the technology in the areas of irrigation and construction.

Mr Naidu had reportedly asked the couple to become the brand ambassadors for AP Tourism. There was no MoU signed, and no further communication took place till recently, according to sources.

The actor has reportedly placed another proposal before the government that if he was given land in AP, he was ready to take up the construction of a Dubai-model virtual technology studio.

There was no progress from the government side on this, which reportedly reportedly prompted the Bollywood couple to drop the idea of becoming brand ambassadors of AP Tourism.

The Delhi government’s health department has issued a strict compliance notice to the actor for appearing in a surrogate advertisement of tobacco products, in March. Quoting the same, a senior TD leader said the government’s choice was not wise.

It may be recalled that a similar offer was reportedly given to Tollywood actor Saikumar, who is popularly known for enacting police roles. He was declared brand ambassador of the Vijayawada police, during the launch of 4th lion app last year. However, the police did not follow up on this after Mr Venkateswara Rao was shifted out as the city police commissioner.