The Panama Papers controversy has become a headache for politicians and celebrities from around the world. It has claimed the posts of the Prime Ministers of Iceland and Ukraine whereas British PM David Cameron and Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif are struggling to hold on to their office. Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan’s name was also included in the Panamanian law firm’s leaked documents and as a result, the Indian government has put a pause on appointing the Bollywood actor as the brand ambassador for the ‘Incredible India’ campaign.
Amitabh Bachchan and Priyanka Chopra had been chosen by the Indian government to be the ambassador’s of India’s prominent and high-profile campaign which tends to project the country as a tourist resort to foreigners. The government had replaced Aamir Khan with Amitabh Bachchan but then reconsidered their decision after Big B’s name appeared among the Panama papers. A total of 500 Indians were part of that list among which Amitabh’s daughter-in-law Aishwarya’s name was also listed.
Earlier, Amitabh had denied affiliation with any and all offshore companies that had been named in the Panama papers controversy.
“I do not know any of the companies referred to by Indian Express – Sea Bulk Shipping Company Ltd, Lady Shipping Ltd, Treasure Shipping Ltd, and Tramp Shipping Ltd. I have never been a director of any of the above stated companies. It is possible that my name has been misused,” he had said.
