Harbhajan's mother slaps notice against United Spirits

Taking exception to a spoof created by leading liquor firm United Spirits for its McDowell Soda that "ridiculed" Harbhajan Singh, the cricketer's mother Avtar Kaur has slapped a legal notice against the company.

In the notice, Kaur has asked for a public apology and discontinuation of the advertisement, to which the UB Group firm has not yet responded.

"Harbhajan's mother Avtar Kaur has sent a legal notice to the UB Group asking them to pull off the advertisement and present a public apology as the ad is derogatory in nature," Off-Spin Sports and Entertainment Director Sangeet Shirodkar told PTI.

He said legal team from Dewani Advocates and Consultants, who served the notice on behalf of Kaur, had not yet received any response from the UB Group.

When contacted, a UB Group spokesperson said, "We cannot comment on the issue at this point of time."

In a commercial for McDowell's No 1 Platinum Soda by Vijay Mallaya-led United Spirits, a Singh look-alike is ridiculed by his father who slaps him. The ad also features M S Dhoni, who is the brand ambassador of Mc Dowell's.

In the ad, Singh's look-alike is shown questioning himself 'Have I made it large?', which resembles the 'Make it large' tagline of Royal Stag Mega Cricket from Pernod Ricard, the main rival of the UB Group. Singh is the brand ambassador of Royal Stag Mega Cricket.

Stressing that Singh is not involved in the issue personally, Shirodkar said, "Bhajji has been totally kept out of this... And his friendship with MS Dhoni has not been impacted in any way... They are still very good friends."