The Kota Consumer Court has sent notices to both Salman Khan and the company behind the product. They now need to submit a formal response. The next hearing is scheduled for November 27.
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A consumer court in Kota has issued a notice to Bollywood actor Salman Khan over advertisements linked to a pan masala brand. The complaint says the ads may have misled consumers, especially young people who look up to the star.
The case was filed by senior BJP leader and Rajasthan High Court advocate Inder Mohan Singh Honey who believes the ads made tall claims about the product. According to him, the brand promoted its product using phrases like “saffron-infused cardamom” and “saffron-infused pan masala.”
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The problem? Saffron is extremely expensive, around ₹4 lakh per kilo. And Honey argues that something costing ₹5 simply cannot contain it.
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In his complaint, he said such advertising tricks can influence young fans to try pan masala, which is going to be harmful and likely cause mouth cancer. He also pointed fingers at celebrity responsibility stating that stars in many other countries refuse to promote unhealthy products, but some Indian actors appear in ads for tobacco-linked brands.
The Kota Consumer Court has sent notices to both Salman Khan and the company behind the product. They now need to submit a formal response. The next hearing is talking place on November 27.
According to reports, Salman Khan appears in promotions for Rajshree Elaichi, a mouth freshener under the same brand umbrella but not directly for the pan masala itself. Still, the petitioner argues that the messaging and brand association can mislead consumers.
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