Actor Aamir Khan has responded to the controversy which erupted after some reports on Wednesday stated that he had been removed as brand ambassador of the government's Incredible India campaign. Tourism minister Mahesh Sharma had also clarified that Khan had not been removed as ambassador but that his contract with advertising agency McCann Worldgroup had ended.
In an official statement, the actor said,
"It has been an honour and a pleasure for me to be the Brand Ambassador for the Incredible India campaign for the past 10 years. I was happy to be of service to my country, and will always be available for it. I would like to clarify that all public service films I have done till date have all been free of any cost to me. It is always an honour for me to be of service of my country, and this is how it will always be.
It is the prerogative of the government to decide whether they need a brand ambassador for any campaign, and if so, who that ambassador should be. I respect the decision of the government to discontinue with my services. I am sure they will take all appropriate steps to do what is best for the country. Whether I am brand ambassador or not, India will remain Incredible, and that's the way it should be."