An attempt at humour by Mahindra Group chairperson Anand Mahindra involving a scene from Nandamuri Balakrishna-starrer Jai Simha prompted a backlash on Twitter, with the joke seemingly lost on the actor’s many fans.

A Twitter user tagged Mahindra in a video clip from the recently released Telegu action drama, which showed Balakrishna single-handedly lifting a Mahindra Bolero SUV. The Twitter link no longer shows the pirated video.

In response, Mahindra tweeted, “Now all our service workshops won’t need any hydraulic lifts anymore to do Bolero check-ups!!”

Haha. Now all our service workshops won’t need any hydraulic lifts anymore to do Bolero check-ups!! https://t.co/WiS6hcpT2h — anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) January 16, 2018

Mahindra’s tweet drew the ire of Balakrishna’s fans, who began tweeting with the hashtags #BoycottMahindra and #BanMahindra. Many of them interpreted Mahindra’s response as him trolling the actor, while others saw in it an opportunity to complain about the company’s after-sales service.

Instead of reacting to some useless fans trolling.. Please concentrate on your useless service workshops and improve service to your customers...Don't degerade your post by involving yourself in these fans fights.. so pity on you 😂😂😂 — nbk@myheart (@nbkmyheart3) January 16, 2018

@anandmahindra #BoycottMahindra #BanMahindra

A man of your stature shouldn't have replied about such video..that result in insulting 1000's of fans across the globe😶 — ..Watch Me 🤐 (@Tight_Slapz) January 16, 2018

I thought you had a better job to do than responding to a stupid tweet from an unknown guy ? Did you ever respond to customer compliants about your products with same urgency ? — Ravi (@ravir9) January 16, 2018

That is your current situation in the market ... I expected a CEO to read that instead of making fun of yourself !!... I would have felt bad for disrespecting the product ....But ur reaction is otherwise... Good luck.. pic.twitter.com/SKRu9sJON8 — Rakesh Srinivas K (@srinivasrakesh2) January 16, 2018

Ha ha... Kind of publicity stunt?



Today reached 40% of Telugu people, but in other way... Cheap thing... pic.twitter.com/Oy4PJIwo8h — RamaMohan.Sakhamuri (@raamcy) January 17, 2018

Sir I never expected such a big personality reacting to some movie trolls you lost your respect, BTW Balakrishna is not only hero and ,MLA, he runs cancer hospital which is in 2nd place in India and offers free treatment for poor

& creates awareness campaigns for breast cancer. — Premkumar (@premkumargajja) January 16, 2018

There were also useful reminders of similar gravity-defying daredevilry in Bollywood movies.

Before making fun on our Tollywood hero..once look at ur Bollywood hero please..sir☺☺ pic.twitter.com/y0aulvmmPr — Vamshi (@VamshiSatya2) January 16, 2018

Mahindra’s tweet did, however, receive some laughs and a little support.

Do not be hassled by the comments of people who understand nothing about humour. Mahindra has been doing fantastic. Continue. Their boycott will remain irrelevant. — Abhishek Parik (@AbhishekParik) January 16, 2018

Sooperb response sir ..You have a great sense of humor ..:) — sajid (@sajferoz) January 16, 2018

Directed by KS Ravikumar, Jai Simha is about Narasimha, a brusque driver whose life unravels when he chances upon his ex-girlfriend Gauri. Apart from Balakrishna, the film stars Nayanthara, Natasha Doshi and Hariprriya. The movie was released on January 12 and is a box office success.