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Pan Masala Ad Row : Shah Rukh Khan’s Old Remark Goes Viral Amid FDA Notices
New Delhi : The controversy surrounding celebrity endorsements of pan masala has taken a fresh turn, with an old statement by Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan resurfacing and going viral after the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued show-cause notices to Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn and Tiger Shroff over their alleged promotion of pan masala through a ‘Vimal Elaichi’ advertisement. The celebrities have reportedly been asked to respond within 15 days.
Amid the controversy, Shah Rukh Khan’s earlier remarks on harmful products have drawn renewed attention. In an old interview, when asked why celebrities endorse products that may be harmful to consumers, Shah Rukh had argued that if a product is considered harmful, authorities should first stop its manufacture and sale rather than placing the entire responsibility on actors who advertise it.
He had also questioned why products such as cigarettes or other harmful substances remain legally available if they are considered dangerous, while celebrities face criticism for endorsing them. His remarks have now triggered fresh debate on celebrity responsibility, advertising ethics and consumer protection. The Maharashtra FDA has taken action in the backdrop of restrictions on the production, sale and storage of gutkha and pan masala containing tobacco or nicotine in the state.
According to the FDA, the ‘Vimal’ brand is strongly associated with pan masala, and advertising an associated product such as elaichi could allegedly amount to indirect promotion of a prohibited product and potentially mislead consumers. The regulator has reportedly raised concerns that such surrogate advertising could violate provisions of food safety law. The latest controversy has once again put the spotlight on the role of celebrities in advertising products that may have public-health implications, while Shah Rukh Khan’s old comments have added another layer to the ongoing debate.
