Bollywood actor Salman Khan has landed in legal trouble after a consumer court in Kota issued a notice to him over allegedly misleading advertisements for a pan masala brand he endorses.
According to a report by Hindustan Times, the complaint, filed by Inder Mohan Singh Honey, a senior BJP leader and Rajasthan High Court advocate, accuses the actor and the company manufacturing Rajshree Pan Masala of deceptive advertising. The petitioner has sought a ban on the advertisements, claiming they mislead consumers by promoting the product as “saffron-infused cardamom” and “saffron-infused pan masala.”
Honey argued that such claims are implausible, noting that saffron costs nearly ₹4 lakh per kilogram and could not realistically be used in a product priced at just ₹5. He further said that such advertisements glamorise pan masala consumption and can negatively influence the youth, Hindustan Times reported.
“Salman Khan is a role model for many people. Celebrities in other countries don’t even endorse cold drinks, but here they are promoting pan masala and tobacco. These ads send the wrong message to the youth, as pan masala is one of the leading causes of mouth cancer,” Honey told ANI.
Following the complaint, the Kota Consumer Court has issued notices to both Salman Khan and the manufacturing company, seeking their formal responses. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for November 27, as reported by Hindustan Times.
Khan has appeared in advertisements for Rajshree Elaichi, a product made by the same company, which also manufactures pan masala. However, the actor has not featured in any direct advertisements for the pan masala product itself.
Responses from Salman Khan and the company are awaited.