Overview

• The Karnataka government appointed Tamannaah Bhatia as the brand ambassador for Mysore Sandal Soap, a decision worth ₹6.2 crore for two years.
• Critics, including MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, argue the decision undermines the cultural identity of the iconic Karnataka brand.
• Protests have emerged over the choice of a non-Kannadiga representative, with calls for local Kannada actors to have been considered instead.
• Minister M. B. Patil defended the appointment, describing it as a strategic effort to expand the brand's national and international presence.
• The controversy highlights broader concerns about cultural representation and the use of public funds for such endorsements.