Date: March 10, 2025
Bollywood Stars Face Legal Notices Over Pan Masala Ad
Consumer Court Issues Notices to Bollywood Stars
The Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Jaipur has issued legal notices to Bollywood stars Shahrukh Khan, Ajay Devgn, and Tiger Shroff over their endorsement of a pan masala advertisement. The notice comes after allegations that the advertisement misled consumers by promoting a gutka product that could be harmful to health.
The complaint was filed by Jaipur-based lawyer Yogendra Singh Badiyal, who claimed that the ad was deceptive and encouraged the consumption of an unhealthy product.
Bollywood Stars: Controversy Over Misleading Tagline
The advertisement in question used the tagline:
🗣 “Dene Dene Mein Kesar Ka Dum”
This phrase implied that the pan masala contained saffron (kesar), an expensive ingredient priced in lakhs per kilogram. However, the complaint alleges that the product does not contain saffron, raising questions about the authenticity of the promotional claims.
According to the petition, promoting such a product using false claims could mislead the public and contribute to increasing health issues.
Notices Issued to Brand Owner
Along with the Bollywood stars, Vimal Kumar Agarwal, the head of JB Industries—the company behind the pan masala brand—has also been served a legal notice.
The court has instructed all involved parties to appear before it on March 19. Failure to do so will result in proceedings continuing in their absence. Additionally, the commission has directed the actors and the company to respond within 30 days of receiving the notice.
What Happens Next?
Awaiting Actor Responses: So far, none of the Bollywood stars have responded to the notice.
Demand for a Ban: Lawyer Badiyal has demanded a ban on the advertisement, claiming it is misleading.
Potential Fine: The lawyer has also sought a financial penalty on the celebrities for endorsing the deceptive ad.
With growing scrutiny on celebrity endorsements, this case raises questions about accountability in advertising. It remains to be seen how the actors and the company will respond to these serious allegations.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing case. 🚨