Ashton Kutcher in racism row after he blacks up for Indian advert

Kutcher plays ‘Raj’, a ‘Bollywood producer looking for love’ in the advert for PopChips, in which he puts on an Indian accent, and indulges in some Bollywood-mocking dancing. 



Many have taken to the internet to voice their disgust at Kutcher’s ad, with blogger and entrepreuneur Anil Dash writing on his website: 

“It’s a hackneyed, unfunny advertisement featuring Kutcher in brownface talking about his romantic options, with the entire punchline being that he’s doing it in a fake-Indian outfit and voice.

“If you find yourself putting brown makeup on a white person in 2012 so they can do a bad 'funny’ accent in order to sell potato chips, you are on the wrong course.”



A spokesman for the company has responded to the complaints the ad has received, saying: “The new PopChips Worldwide Dating Video and ad campaign featuring four characters was created to provoke a few laughs and was never intended to stereotype or offend anyone.

"At Popchips we embrace all types of shapes, flavors and colors, and appreciate all snackers, no matter their race or ethnicity.”



Kutcher himself, a frequent twitter user, has yet to respond to the reaction his advert has engendered. 



You can check out the ad in full below.

Photo: PopChips.