FIR Sought Against Ranbir Kapoor and Netflix Over E-Cigarette Scene
Nidhi | Sep 23, 2025, 16:30 IST
NHRC orders Mumbai Police to take action against Ranbir Kapoor over promotion of e-cigarettes (Ld)
( Image credit : IANS )
Highlight of the story: Aryan Khan’s Netflix series The Ba**ds of Bollywood* is under legal scrutiny after a scene shows Ranbir Kapoor smoking a banned e-cigarette without a statutory disclaimer. The NHRC has filed a complaint and requested the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Mumbai Police to register an FIR against Kapoor, the producers, and Netflix under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019. The series, starring Bobby Deol, Lakshya Lalwani, and Anya Singh, has been praised for its satirical take on Bollywood but now faces legal challenges.
<p>New Delhi, Sep 22 (IANS) The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the Mumbai Police Commissioner to initiate appropriate legal action, including the lodging of an FIR, against actor Ranbir Kapoor, producers of the web series 'Ba***ds of Bollywood', and the OTT platform Netflix over promotion of banned e-cigarettes.</p>
Aryan Khan’s Netflix series The Ba**ds of Bollywood* has landed in legal trouble over a scene showing actor Ranbir Kapoor smoking a banned e-cigarette without a statutory disclaimer, ANI reported. The incident has sparked a formal complaint, citing concerns that the scene could influence young viewers and is in violation of Indian law.
The Ba**ds of Bollywood* is a satirical action-comedy drama created, co-written, and directed by debutant Aryan Khan. The series premiered on Netflix on September 18, 2025, and features actors Lakshya Lalwani, Bobby Deol, Raghav Juyal, Sahher Bambba, Anya Singh, and Ranbir Kapoor. The show has been praised by critics and audiences alike, being described as “irreverent, intriguing, and entertaining in equal measure,” for its unique take on Bollywood satire and action-comedy elements.
The NHRC’s complaint reflects growing scrutiny over the portrayal of banned products in entertainment content, particularly with regard to their influence on youth. By seeking FIRs against the actors, producers, and the streaming platform, the commission emphasizes legal accountability in media production and the importance of adhering to statutory guidelines, including warnings and disclaimers for substances that are prohibited under Indian law.
As the legal process develops, this case raises broader questions about the boundaries of creative freedom, responsibility in digital content, and the role of regulatory authorities in ensuring that entertainment does not inadvertently promote illegal or harmful behavior. It remains to be seen how Netflix, the production team, and the actors will respond to the NHRC’s directives, and whether stricter guidelines for depicting banned substances in web series will follow in the future.
Mumbai, Sep 18 (ANI): Actor Ranbir Kapoor and actress Alia Bhatt pose for a phot...
( Image credit : ANI )
Aryan Khan promises ‘bahut saara pyaar aur thoda sa vaar’ in ‘The Ba***ds of Bollywood’ first look
( Image credit : IANS )
Ranbir Kapoor lands in legal trouble due to Aryan Khan’s debut series
( Image credit : IANS )
The Ba**ds of Bollywood* is a satirical action-comedy drama created, co-written, and directed by debutant Aryan Khan. The series premiered on Netflix on September 18, 2025, and features actors Lakshya Lalwani, Bobby Deol, Raghav Juyal, Sahher Bambba, Anya Singh, and Ranbir Kapoor. The show has been praised by critics and audiences alike, being described as “irreverent, intriguing, and entertaining in equal measure,” for its unique take on Bollywood satire and action-comedy elements.
The NHRC’s complaint reflects growing scrutiny over the portrayal of banned products in entertainment content, particularly with regard to their influence on youth. By seeking FIRs against the actors, producers, and the streaming platform, the commission emphasizes legal accountability in media production and the importance of adhering to statutory guidelines, including warnings and disclaimers for substances that are prohibited under Indian law.
As the legal process develops, this case raises broader questions about the boundaries of creative freedom, responsibility in digital content, and the role of regulatory authorities in ensuring that entertainment does not inadvertently promote illegal or harmful behavior. It remains to be seen how Netflix, the production team, and the actors will respond to the NHRC’s directives, and whether stricter guidelines for depicting banned substances in web series will follow in the future.