Amid backlash over picking a non-Kannadiga as brand ambassador for Mysore Sandal Soap, minister MB Patil explained why Tamannaah Bhatia was chosen over Deepika Padukone. He explained that the Rajinikanth-headed committee chose Tamannaah for her merit and selected her out of 5-6 candidates, of which 2-3 were from Karnataka. Deepika owns a brand and endorses other soaps, added Patil.