Salman Khan Gets Consumer Court Notice for 'Misleading' Paan Masala Ad

Salman Khan in Legal Trouble: Consumer Court Issues Notice Over 'Misleading' Paan Masala Ad Claims

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, who has a diverse portfolio of brand endorsements, has gotten into trouble for his recent promotion of a paan masala brand. A notice has been issued to the actor by a consumer court in Kota.

In the petition, the complainant accuses the paan masala brand of false marketing and holds the actor responsible for influencing the Indian youth to consume such harmful products. 

Complaint Details: The 'Saffron-Infused' Allegation

The BJP leader and an advocate of the Rajasthan High Court, Inder Mohan Singh Honey, reportedly filed the complaint, alleging that the advertisement is misleading. It was claimed in the petition that the elaichi and paan masala products contained saffron.

The petition told ANI, “Salman Khan is a role model for many people. We have filed a complaint against it in the Kota Consumer Court, and notices have been issued for a hearing. Celebrities or film stars in other countries don’t even promote cold drinks, but they are promoting tobacco and paan masala.”

He further asserted and advised the celebrities to avoid promoting such products, saying, “I urge them not to spread the wrong message to the youth, as paan masala is one of the leading causes of mouth cancer.”

Celebrity Responsibility and Social Impact Concerns

This legal action against the superstar reignites the debate on the ethical responsibilities of celebrities in brand endorsements. The complainant emphasized the high risk of oral cancer linked to paan masala, suggesting that public figures should avoid lending their image to such harmful products.

The core concern is the immense social influence stars like Salman Khan have, especially over younger audiences. The court case indirectly questions whether celebrities fulfill their moral obligation when promoting items with known health risks, potentially setting a dangerous precedent. 

The petitioner highlighted a contrast, noting that stars in other countries often refuse to promote even cold drinks, yet Indian celebrities endorse paan masala and tobacco-related products.

To sum up, a notice has been issued to Salman Khan for promoting harmful products while misusing his influence. Additionally, the petition accuses the brand of falsely marketing its cheap products by using phrases such as “saffron-infused.” This legal action against the actor over the paan masala endorsement highlights the growing debate over the accountability of celebrities in advertising health-sensitive products.