After Sidharth Malhotra, now Priyanka Chopra ends association with Nirav Modi

A hoarding with a Nirav Modi advertisement featuring Priyanka, who has endorsed the brand since 2017. Pic/PTI

A week after mid-day reported that Sidharth Malhotra backed out of an endorsement deal with Nirav Modi's diamond jewellery house, Priyanka Chopra has also confirmed that she is considering pulling out as global brand ambassador of the brand. Earlier reports had claimed that Chopra's management alleged that she wasn't paid the amount the two parties had agreed on. However, Priyanka's spokesperson rubbished reports that the Quantico actor was suing Modi.

The spokesperson, in a statement, clarified, "There are speculative reports that Priyanka Chopra has sued Nirav Modi. This is not true. However, she is currently seeking legal opinion with respect to terminating her contract with the brand in light of allegations of financial fraud against Nirav Modi."

Priyanka has been the global brand ambassador of the brand since February 2017, and insiders said that the actor was expected to shoot another series of posters for the brand. A source informed, "Priyanka is extremely particular about her CSR duties. The brands she endorses always have a message. In sight of that, Priyanka found it best to bow out of this brand. She is ethically opposed to this. Post her Quantico shoot, she was supposed to take time put for another photo shoot and look at concepts for their next commercial, but with the excavation of these startling facts, she doesn't wish to associate herself with the brand anymore."

Meanwhile, sources close to Sidharth claimed, "The actor and Modi have no pending liabilities towards each other. His contract has expired and it won't be renewed. However, there are no monetary liabilities of Modi towards Malhotra, or any pending professional commitments from his side."

Lisa Haydon, whose posters from a shoot last year were released by the brand last week on Instagram, has carefully remained out of the raging controversy. The actress was on board with them for one assignment. It is yet to be confirmed if she is bound legally to the brand in any capacity. mid-day's attempts to contact Haydon went unanswered.

The state-owned Punjab National Bank on Wednesday, said it has detected a USD 1.77 billion (about Rs 11,400 crore) scam where billionaire jeweller Nirav Modi allegedly acquired fraudulent letters of undertaking from a branch in Mumbai to secure overseas credit from other Indian lenders. PNB has suspended 10 officers and referred the matter to CBI for investigation.

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