An attempt at humour by Mahindra Group chairperson Anand Mahindra involving a scene from Nandamuri Balakrishna-starrer Jai Simha prompted a backlash on Twitter, with the joke seemingly lost on the actor’s many fans.
A Twitter user tagged Mahindra in a video clip from the recently released Telegu action drama, which showed Balakrishna single-handedly lifting a Mahindra Bolero SUV. The Twitter link no longer shows the pirated video.
In response, Mahindra tweeted, “Now all our service workshops won’t need any hydraulic lifts anymore to do Bolero check-ups!!”
Mahindra’s tweet drew the ire of Balakrishna’s fans, who began tweeting with the hashtags #BoycottMahindra and #BanMahindra. Many of them interpreted Mahindra’s response as him trolling the actor, while others saw in it an opportunity to complain about the company’s after-sales service.
There were also useful reminders of similar gravity-defying daredevilry in Bollywood movies.
Mahindra’s tweet did, however, receive some laughs and a little support.
Directed by KS Ravikumar, Jai Simha is about Narasimha, a brusque driver whose life unravels when he chances upon his ex-girlfriend Gauri. Apart from Balakrishna, the film stars Nayanthara, Natasha Doshi and Hariprriya. The movie was released on January 12 and is a box office success.
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