NEW DELHI: Workers of Pro Kannada organisations staged protest in Bengaluru demanding the removal of actress Tamannah Bhatia as the brand ambassador from Karnataka Soaps and detergents limited (KSDL). The actress has been offered Rs 6.2 crore for the brand endorsement.In Karnataka, Large and Medium Industries Minister MB Patil addressed the local population’s dissatisfaction regarding actress Tamannah Bhatia’s selection as the ambassador for KSDL products.During a press briefing, Patil emphasised that the focus was on achieving global and national recognition through performance, rather than language considerations.“I am a person who has a lot of respect for Kannada identity. This is trade, business… and should be promoted to the world and across India,” Patil told the media.He explained that Bhatia’s selection was based on her substantial social media following of 2.8 crore followers. Other considerations included Rashmika Mandanna’s prior commitments, whilst Pooja Hegde and Kiara Advani were unavailable, and Deepika Padukone exceeded KSDL’s budget constraints.On May 22, Tammannah Bhatia was appointed as brand ambassador for Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL). The state government’s choice faced opposition, with questions raised about overlooking Kannada actors for the prestigious state-run brand.In response to criticism, Industries Minister MB Patil explained that “the decision was made considering the actress’s wide appeal, strong digital presence, and her ability to connect with the younger generation.”“Our target is to reach Rs5,000 crore in sales by 2030, and in this context, a strong marketing strategy becomes vital. This appointment was made based on recommendations from marketing experts,” he highlighted.Patil additionally noted that Kannada artists deserve respect, whilst emphasising that this was not a tender-based selection.Regarding her acting career, Tamannaah is set to appear alongside Sidharth Malhotra in ‘VVAN’, a folk thriller scheduled for theatrical release on May 15, 2026.The production team confirms that VVAN is situated in Central India’s dense forests, combining ancient legends, hidden temples, and adventure, with filming conducted in authentic forest settings.