Image on pan masala ad shocks Pierce Brosnan

The 63-year-old James Bond star said his contract stated that he was to advertise a "breath freshener/tooth whitener".

Hollywood actor Pierce Brosnan says he is distressed by the deceptive use of his image in an Indian pan masala brand advertisement.

The actor said he was deeply shocked and saddened to learn that the pan masala product he was advertising may include ingredients that can cause cancer, reported People magazine.

Brosnan said he has the “greatest love and affection for India and its people.”

“As a man who has spent decades championing women’s healthcare and environmental protection, I was distressed to learn of Pan Bahar’s unauthorised and deceptive use of my image to endorse their range of pan masala products. I would never have entered into an agreement to promote a product in India that is dangerous to one’s health,” he said in a statement.

The 63-year-old said his contract stated that he was to advertise a “breath freshener/tooth whitener,” which wouldn’t include an ingredient that turns saliva red.

According to the actor, he agreed to advertise a single product only, and that it was presented as “all-natural containing neither tobacco, supari, nor any other harmful ingredient.”

“Having endured, in my own personal life, the loss of my first wife and daughter as well as numerous friends to cancer, I am fully committed to supporting women’s healthcare and research programs that improve human health and alleviate suffering,” the statement continued.

Brosnan has demanded the company to remove his image from all their products, and assured that he had no knowledge that he was endorsing items that would have a negative or painful reaction in India.

“I shall endeavor to rectify this matter. In the meantime, please accept my sincerest and heartfelt apologies to all whom I have offended,” the statement concluded.

The actor received a lot of flak and was even trolled on Twitter for featuring in the advertisement.