Kutcher's online ad knocked as racist

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LOS ANGELES, May 3 (UPI) -- An online commercial for potato chips featuring U.S. actor Ashton Kutcher as a Bollywood producer in "brown face" was yanked after being criticized as racist.

The popchips video, which was unviewable Wednesday night after being designated "private," is a parody of a dating-service ad and showed Kutcher playing "Raj," with an Indian accent and his face darkened, who is "looking for the most delicious thing on the planet," specifically someone who is "Kardashian hot."

The New York Daily News reported the skit didn't play well with some who were quick to post messages on Twitter, such as this one from blogger Anil Dash: "Hey, startups that are helping @aplusk get richer, can you tell him that racist brownface ads aren't cool? Thanks!"

The Hollywood Reporter said the company issued a statement apologizing for any hard feelings.

"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," a popchips representative said.

"At popchips we embrace all types of shapes, flavors and colors, and appreciate all snackers, no matter their race or ethnicity. We hope people can enjoy this in the spirit it was intended."

Kutcher also portrayed a hippie stoner, a tattooed southern redneck and a euro-fashionista.