Visakhapatnam, Feb 7 (IANS): Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Sunday clarified that Bollywood stars Akshay Kumar and Kangana Ranaut "were not brand ambassadors" for the International Fleet Review (IFR).

Talking to journalists on the sidelines of the International Maritime Conference, the minister said no contract was signed with the two actors and they were merely invited to the event.

"Brands ambassadors have to sell a brand. They were not brand ambassadors. They were invited," Parrikar said responding to a question.

"There was no contract with them at the defence ministry level," he added.

Akshay Kumar and Kangana Ranaut participated in the opening ceremony of IFR at INS Sathavahana Stadium on Friday, leading to their description as the brand ambassadors of the event in some media reportage.

About 50 navies from across the world are participating in the IFR, the second of its kind and the largest military exercise by India.