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The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has urged the Mumbai Police to file a case against actor Ranbir Kapoor, the producers of the web series 'The Ba**ds of Bollywood', and streaming giant Netflix for allegedly promoting electronic cigarettes in violation of the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019.
The complaint, filed by Vinay Joshi, pointed out that Kapoor was shown smoking an e-cigarette in one of the scenes of the show without any statutory warning or disclaimer. According to Joshi, such depictions glamorize vaping and risk influencing young viewers.
NHRC Issues Notice
Acting on the complaint, the NHRC issued a notice to the Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, asking the ministry to take immediate steps to curb the promotion of e-cigarettes on streaming platforms. The commission emphasised that unchecked portrayal of such content can have damaging effects on impressionable audiences, particularly the youth.
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Police Told to Investigate
The commission has also directed the Commissioner of Police, Mumbai, to investigate the case thoroughly. This includes probing the identity and operations of manufacturers and importers of e-cigarettes, which are banned under Indian law. The police have been asked to submit a detailed report following the inquiry.
Content Under Scrutiny
With the NHRC’s intervention, the matter has placed streaming platforms and film producers under closer watch for compliance with laws governing public health. The development adds to ongoing debates over the responsibility of OTT platforms in curating content that could potentially mislead viewers.
Looking Ahead
While Kapoor and the show’s producers are yet to issue an official response, the case highlights a growing scrutiny over the portrayal of smoking and vaping on digital platforms. The outcome of the probe could set a precedent for stricter content regulation in India.
