MUMBAI: Shah Rukh Khan and his Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders have decided to indefinitely put on hold their deal with Lux Cozy.

This came after protests in Kolkata over the involvement of one of the company‘s promotor’s in the suicide of a 30-year-old computer graphics teacher Rizwanur Rahman.
 
Lux Cozy was to get into a licensing and merchandising deal. An open letter protesting the decision has been written to Shah Rukh Khan from the city‘s prominent social activist Mudar Patherya and wife Shalini objecting to the team‘s association with Todi.

The letter noted that Shah Rukh Khan‘s brand stands for the following positive attributes: meritocracy, fairness, hard work and patriotism. However there was a dilution by his team‘s association with individuals viewed as morally suspect (until they are proved innocent). "Please reconsider this decision. There is still time," the letter said.
 
At a press conference organised by Kolkata’s Konscience Keepers (KKK), a platform created to protest against the deal, Gameplan director Jeet Banerjee made a surprise entry to announce the decision to put the deal on hold. Gameplan is the event management agency handling KKR.
Banerjee said that the deal was being put on hold till all issues were resolved and the sensitivities of the aggrieved were addressed.
 
The frozen deal pertains to merchandising inside the stadium for home matches and around the stadium, as well as Lux branding on the players’ trousers and other advertising. Signages that were already up across the city would be taken off as soon as possible. Some fan gear T-shirts had already been produced, but future production would be stalled.

Banerjee clarified that the decision was by the KKR management, not SRK. The statement was conveyed on behalf of Lux Industries as well.