Categories: Culture

Kerala hospital tenders apology for racist ad for skin treatment showing Morgan Freeman

<p>
<strong>Facing the heat and backlash on social media, a hospital in Kerala, which had used Morgan Freeman’s picture for the advertisement of their skin treatment, has removed it and tendered an apology.</strong></p>
<p>
The advertisement by the Vadakara Cooperative Hospital came under fire when its image was widely circulated on social media. It showed the photo of the 84-year-old actor to publicise many of its several services, including the removal of warts, skin tags, warts, milia, molluscum and more.</p>
<p>
Users and viewers slammed the hospital for the advertisement which had racist undertones.</p>
<p>
Some users tagged Freeman while posting this ad. One wrote: “Sir Morgan Freeman, your picture is used as a poster at a dermatology department advt board in a chospital in Kerala, India. Using your picture as sample, they are claiming to make everyone free from dark tan, wrinkles, pigments…."</p>
<p>
GP Ramachandran, film critic in his post wrote: "Vadakara 'Co-operative' Hospital is a disgrace and an insult to the great co-operative sector in Kerala."</p>
<p>
Author Sree Parvathy while listing the top performances by the actor wrote: "Those who lifted the picture of Morgan from the internet failed to identify the Oscar winning actor and went by his skin colour, the rashes on his face and his African-American heritage.”</p>
<p>
Following this adverse reaction, the hospital pulled down the poster and issued an apology.</p>
<p>
Talking to New Indian Express, T Sunil, Marketing Manager of the hospital said: "The picture was taken from the internet and the board displayed near the casualty on January 26 (Wednesday). When we came to know about the gaffe, it was removed on Saturday. "The hospital has issue an apology on its Facebook page. There was no intention to defame the great actor.”</p>

IN Bureau

Recent Posts

Lebanon: Israel conducts precision airstrikes on Hezbollah’s UAV production, storage sites and drone workshop

Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) shared operational details of conducting precision strikes at Hezbollah targets in…

1 hour ago

Productive discussions on connectivity, security, terrorism: Jaishankar at India-Central Asia Dialogue

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, chairing the 4th India-Central Asia Dialogue in Delhi on Thursday,…

2 hours ago

Tata Electronics, BEL join hands to advance India’s electronics, semiconductors ecosystem

Tata Electronics and state-owned firm Bharat Electronics (BEL) have joined hands to advance the development…

2 hours ago

Israel’s Defence Minister slams Lebanese President for criticizing strikes on Hezbollah

Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz responded to criticism leveled at Israel by Lebanese President Joseph…

3 hours ago

ETGE alleges Uyghur militants in Syria exploited by Chinese Intelligence, seeks US support

The East Turkistan Government in Exile expresses deep concern regarding the purported incorporation of Uyghur…

4 hours ago

“All good work is indeed left for me only to complete,” says PM Modi as he inaugurates major railway projects in J-K

Noting that the newly inaugurated Chenab and Anji Bridges will not only connect Jammu and…

4 hours ago