Nargis Fakhri responds to Urdu newspaper ad controversy

The Bollywood actress spoke her heart out in an official statement, responding to the fury caused by the ad

Nargis Fakhri -- the lady in red who sparked outrage on social media following her ad in leading Urdu newspapers -- has finally opened up about the strife surrounding her.



The Bollywood actress spoke her heart out in an official statement, responding to the fury caused by the telecommunication company's ad. "I've been with Mobilink as their brand ambassador for the last three years and there has never been an issue like this. I was unaware that they would consider using this visual for a mainstream newspaper ad - an Urdu daily as it was never meant to be."

The ad which displayed Nargis lying down on the front page of Urdu dailies drew strong reactions from Pakistanis and caused quite a furor on social media.

PHOTO: TWITTER

Nargis disclosed that she was just as shocked by the ad and shared her side of the story. "As a model or celebrity, I have always believed in using my persona to help further a brand's communication but never to have it used where I end up being objectified for my looks.



"Culturally too, my team and I are aware and respectful of what visuals work for which mediums, markets and audiences and hence, given the brand's firm penetration in the Pakistani market, we left it up to their expertise to use the images appropriately," read her statement, reports Pinkvilla.

Pakistanis across the country woke up on Sunday to the seemingly innocent ad that simply shows a woman lying down with a phone in her hand.



Many readers including journalists viewed the ad as objectionable and took to Twitter to condemn it for obscenity.

My strong protest to top jang group management for this absurd front page ad in today's jang. pic.twitter.com/M5SRc1p3H7

— Ansar Abbasi (@AnsarAAbbasi) December 20, 2015

@AnsarAAbbasi you are right, her beautiful body curves have nothing to do with 3G phone and its "cheap price." I fully agree with you dear

— Matiullah Jan (@Matiullahjan919) December 20, 2015

@AnsarAAbbasi why newspapers are trying to be like playboy or weekend type of magazine ?? These kind o adds look good in magazine not on NP

— Muhammed Amer Gujjar ( محمد عامر گجر ) (@amerdxb1) December 20, 2015

ajj jung walon nay front page par nargis fakhri ko chap dia hay kal sunny leone chap daingay.

— Mirza Lamer King (@iMirzaSaheb) December 20, 2015