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Bollywood actors Shah Rukh Khan , Ajay Devgn, and Tiger Shroff, have been summoned by the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Jaipur over allegations of misleading advertising concerning a gutkha brand. The commission has directed them, along with the chairman of JB Industries, to respond to the allegations by March 19, 2025.
The complaint, filed by consumer rights activist Yogendra Singh Badiyal, claims that the actors' endorsement of a Pan Masala brand falsely promotes the product as containing saffron. The commission has instructed them, along with the chairman of JB Industries, to respond to the allegations by March 19, 2025.
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Allegations of Misleading Advertising:
The controversy stems from an advertisement for the Pan Masala brand, which claims that “every grain contains saffron.” Consumer rights activist Yogendra Singh Badiyal, who filed the complaint, alleges that this claim is deceptive and misleading. He pointed out that saffron costs approximately ₹4 lakh per kilogram, while the product is priced at just ₹5 per packet, making it improbable that it genuinely contains saffron.
The complaint further claims that the product neither contains saffron nor carries its fragrance, yet it is endorsed by high-profile celebrities. Badiyal argued that such endorsements could mislead consumers and influence their purchasing decisions.
The complaint argues that such advertisements not only mislead consumers but also glamourize the consumption of gutkha, which is linked to serious health risks, including cancer.
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Past Controversies Over Pan Masala Ads:
This is not the first time Bollywood actors have faced criticism for endorsing pan masala brands. Shah Rukh Khan,Ajay Devgn , and Akshay Kumar were previously under public scrutiny for similar endorsements.Akshay Kumar , in particular, faced backlash in 2022 and later issued an apology, promising to refrain from promoting such products.
