Salman Khan Under Fire For Alleged Misleading Pan Masala Ad

Salman Khan is in legal hot water after being served with a notice by a Kota consumer court for his reportedly misleading pan masala ads. A complaint was lodged against the actor and the pan masala company that he promoted. The complaint said that these deceptive commercials encourage young people to eat pan masala, which is connected to a rise in cancer incidence. Senior BJP leader and Rajasthan High Court counsel Inder Mohan Singh Honey filed the suit, claiming that the ads misled consumers and calling for their ban.

Salman Khan, the actor who represents the brand, and Rajshree Pan Masala manufacturer and  had engaged in deceptive advertising by marketing the product as having 'saffron-infused cardamom' and 'saffron-infused pan masala,' he alleged as reported by news agency ANI.

"Salman Khan is a role model for many people. We have filed a complaint against it in the Kota Consumer Court, and notices have been issued for a hearing. Celebrities or film stars in other countries don't even promote cold drinks, but they are promoting tobacco and pan masala. I urge them not to spread the wrong message to the youth, as pan masala is one of the leading causes of mouth cancer," the petitioner told the news agency. 

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The senior BJP leader claimed that since saffron is expensive, it is unlikely to be included in such a cheap product. He has requested that the ads be banned, claiming that the alleged deception may have broader societal repercussions. Given that saffron costs almost Rs 4 lakh per kilogram, he questioned the veracity of the ingredient claims, pointing out that it is not possible for a product that costs only Rs 5 to contain it.

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The complaint also raises questions about the potential impact these commercials may have on youth. It implies that this kind of promotion pushes young people to eat pan masala, a food that is well recognized to be connected to the rising number of cancer cases. The hearing has been set for November 27, 2025, after the court accepted these worries.

The Kota Consumer Court has written to Salman Khan, asking for a formal response. A hearing for the lawsuit, which has raised awareness of celebrities' responsibilities in advertising, has been rescheduled for later this month.