Akshay Kumar, Kangana Ranaut not brand ambassadors of IFR, says Manohar Parrikar

VISAKHAPATNAM: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today denied reports that Bollywood actors Akshay Kumar and Kangana Ranaut were brand ambassadors of the ongoing International Fleet Review ( IFR), hosted by Indian Navy.

"Brand ambassadors have to sell brand right from the beginning. I don't think that there is any selling by these two (Akshay Kumar and Kangana)," Parrikar said.

"They were definitely invited (to the opening ceremony)...but no contract or nothing has been paid to them," he told reporters on the sidelines of an event here.

Earlier, there were some reports in a section of media that the two film actors had been roped-in as brand ambassadors of IFR 2016.

Kumar and Ranaut had taken part in the opening ceremony of IFR on Friday.

Nearly 50 countries have come together to participate in this show of prowess and preparedness by the Indian Navy.

This is the 11th fleet review after Independence and the second international one being conducted in India.

The review had a combination of ships from Indian Navy as well as frontline Navies from across the globe.