A consumer court in Jaipur has issued a legal notice to three Bollywood stars, Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn, Tiger Shroff, and Vimal Pan Masala’s manufacturer. They are accused of endorsing a misleading advertisement.
The complaint states that the advertisement misled consumers by claiming that every particle of the pan masala contains saffron. However, a gutkha pouch weighs 5 grams and costs ₹5, while 5 grams of saffron would cost ₹2,000 at the market rate of ₹4 lakh per kg.
Indian film and sports stars have a huge influence. People trust the products they endorse. But when stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn, Tiger Shroff, Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Anil Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, Saif Ali Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Priyanka Chopra, Anushka Sharma, Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, Chris Gayle, and Harbhajan Singh promote harmful products like tobacco and alcohol, it creates controversy.
Amitabh Bachchan – From Endorsing to Apologizing
In 2021, Amitabh Bachchan endorsed Kamla Pasand Pan Masala. Soon after, people criticized him on social media. They questioned why he supported a harmful product. Later, Amitabh Bachchan withdrew from the brand, apologized, and even returned his endorsement fee.
Akshay Kumar – Faced Backlash for Vimal Ad
Akshay Kumar is known for promoting fitness and a healthy lifestyle. But fans were disappointed when he joined Shah Rukh Khan and Ajay Devgn in Vimal Pan Masala’s advertisement. Social media users trolled him, calling him a hypocrite. After intense backlash, Akshay apologized and ended his contract with the brand.
Sachin Tendulkar – Rejected ₹20 Crore Alcohol advertisements.
Sachin Tendulkar has always maintained a clean public image. A significant alcohol brand offered him ₹20 crore for an endorsement, but he refused. He said he would never promote harmful products, and his decision earned him public respect.
Ranveer Singh and Saif Ali Khan – Linked to Controversial Brands
Ranveer Singh promoted an international liquor brand, while Saif Ali Khan appeared in gutkha advertisements. Despite criticism, they never withdrew or apologized. Unlike Amitabh and Akshay, they did not publicly address the issue.
Stars ignore the harmful impacts of products.
The main concern is celebrity responsibility. Do stars think about the social impact before endorsing harmful products?
The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement) Act of 2003 bans direct tobacco ads in India. However, companies bypass this law by branding pan masala as elaichi or flavored supari. Celebrities help these brands mislead consumers.
The Consumer Protection Act of 2019 also holds endorsers accountable for misleading ads. Celebrities can face legal action, fines, or advertising bans if proven guilty.
Should Celebrities Be Held Accountable?
Celebrities influence millions. Their endorsements make harmful products seem safe and premium. Many apologize only after facing backlash. But is an apology enough?
The government should strictly regulate such ads. Consumers must also know that a celebrity’s promotion does not guarantee a product’s safety.
Now, all eyes are on Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn, and Tiger Shroff. Will they respond to the controversy or wait until legal pressure forces them to act?