NHRC seeks action against Ranbir Kapoor, Netflix over E-cigarette depiction in Aryan Khan’s Ba***ds of Bollywood

In response to a complaint alleging that the Netflix web series The Ba***ds of Bollywood featured actor Ranbir Kapoor using e-cigarettes on screen without any health warning or disclaimer, in violation of Indian law, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sent notices to the Mumbai Police Commissioner and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Citing its possible impact on impressionable audiences, especially young people, the NHRC requested the government to take “appropriate action” to outlaw such content on OTT platforms in a letter to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry.

In a separate letter to the Mumbai Police Commissioner, the NHRC recommended that a formal complaint be filed under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019 against Ranbir Kapoor, the producers, the production firm, and Netflix. In India, the manufacture, distribution, and promotion of e-cigarettes are prohibited by law.

The series violated legal and ethical broadcasting standards by promoting the use of prohibited e-cigarettes without including the required anti-smoking disclaimers, according to the complaint that led to the NHRC’s intervention. Ranbir Kapoor, Netflix, and the series’ production crew have not yet provided an official statement.

However, Aryan decides to approach it in a lighthearted way, making everything a joke—almost like a poorly written Reddit or blind post. However, the general public’s lack of interest in the film industry makes this tone effective.

Aryan makes fun of Bollywood and its elite in a really ridiculous way, which makes you question whether it is all too ridiculous at times. This Thursday saw the Netflix debut of The Bads of Bollywood. With a dynamic ensemble cast that includes Lakshya, Raghav Juyal, Sahher Bambba, Mona Singh, Anya Singh, Manoj Pahwa, and Gautami Kapoor, the series was produced by Gauri Khan under the Red Chillies Entertainment brand.