Tamannaah Bhatia Chosen Over Deepika Padukone For Mysore Sandal, Sparks Kannada Pride Debate Across Karnataka

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The Karnataka government is facing heat for picking Tamannaah Bhatia as the new face of the iconic Mysore Sandal Soap. Many locals wanted a Kannada star for this heritage brand. Minister MB Patil recently revealed that a special committee led by superstar Rajinikanth actually made this choice. He clarified that Deepika Padukone was considered but her fees were simply too high for the state’s budget. The goal is to make the soap a global brand and they felt Tamannaah had the best reach for the price.

This move has triggered a fresh row over regional pride. Critics on social media say it is an insult to local talent. Some people asked why stars like Rashmika Mandanna or Rukmini Vasanth were not hired. Minister Patil explained that most local stars already endorse other soap brands like Lux. Because of these existing contracts they could not legally represent Mysore Sandal. The committee looked at five or six big names before picking Tamannaah on merit. She was chosen because of her 28 million followers and her appeal in North India.

The government says this is a business move not a political one. Only about 10 percent of the soap's sales happen in Karnataka. Most of the money comes from other states and international markets. KSDL wants to hit a turnover of 5,000 crore rupees by 2030. They believe a pan-India face is needed to grow in the West and the Gulf regions. Tamannaah will now lead ads for over 50 products including perfumes and oils.

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Despite the logic the backlash remains strong. Opposition leaders are calling the move “anti-Kannada.” They argue that the brand's identity is tied to the state and should be promoted by a local. However the government is standing firm on its decision. They say the brand needs to modernize to survive in a tough market. For now the soap with a century of history has a new face and a lot of new controversy.