New Delhi: Under fire for endorsing Pan Bahar, Hollywood star Pierce Brosnan has said that he was “shocked and saddened” by the unauthorised use of his image to promote a product that could be dangerous to anyone’s health. The advertisements of Pierce Brosnan endorsing Pan Bahar that the nation woke to last week, had triggered mirth and outrage in equal measure.

In a statement to People Magazine, he said, “As a man who has spent decades championing women’s healthcare and environmental protection, I was distressed to learn of Pan Bahar’s unauthorized and deceptive use of my image to endorse their range of pan masala products.”

Brosnan said that his contract stated that he was to advertise a “breath freshener/tooth whitener,” which wouldn’t include an ingredient that turns saliva red, People Magazine reported, and that he had agreed to advertise a single product which was presented as “all-natural containing neither tobacco, supari, nor any other harmful ingredient.”

Brosnan’s contract says he was to advertise a “breath freshenertooth whitener” which wouldn’t include an ingredient that turns saliva red. “Having endured, in my own personal life, the loss of my first wife and daughter as well as numerous friends to cancer, I am fully committed to supporting women’s healthcare and research programs that improve human health and alleviate suffering,” he said.

Brosnan said he had the “greatest love and affection for India and its people”. He added, “I would never have entered into an agreement to promote a product in India that is dangerous to one’s health.”