Why Are Kannada Fans Criticizing Tamannaah?

Milky beauty Tamannaah Bhatia being picked as the face of Mysore Sandal soaps hasn’t sat well with many in Karnataka. The actress, known across India and especially for Baahubali, was signed for a two-year deal with Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL) for Rs 6.2 crores. The issue? Many Kannada fans are asking why a local actor wasn’t chosen instead.

The reaction isn’t about Tamannaah’s work—it’s about what the brand represents. Mysore Sandal is a product with strong roots in Karnataka, and fans feel it should be promoted by someone who represents that identity. They see this move as overlooking Kannada talent, even though the product is closely tied to the region.

Responding to the heat, Minister M.B. Patil said the choice wasn’t random. He explained that Tamannaah’s face value across different states and her track record with beauty brands made her a strong pick. The goal, he said, is to take the brand national—and experts in branding backed that call.

Tamannaah, meanwhile, isn’t as frequent on the big screen these days but still turns up in films like Odela 2 and a few web series. The response to this ad deal just shows how strongly people in Karnataka feel about keeping their icons close when it comes to something that carries the state’s name.