Mumbai, Nov 5 : A consumer court in Kota has issued a notice to Bollywood superstar Salman Khan over advertisements associated with a pan masala brand, following a complaint that the ads may have misled consumers, particularly young fans.
The complaint was filed by Inder Mohan Singh Honey, a senior BJP leader and Rajasthan High Court advocate, who alleged that the brand made deceptive claims such as “saffron infused cardamom” and “saffron-infused pan masala.”
Honey pointed out that saffron costs nearly ₹4 lakh per kilo, making it implausible for a ₹5 product to contain real saffron. He argued that such misleading marketing can encourage impressionable youth to consume pan masala a product with known health risks, including potential links to oral cancer.
The petitioner also raised concerns about celebrity accountability, noting that while international stars often refuse to promote harmful products, some Indian actors continue to endorse brands tied to tobacco or similar products.
The Kota Consumer Court has issued notices to both Salman Khan and the company behind the product, asking them to submit formal responses. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for November 27.
According to reports, Salman Khan features in promotions for Rajshree Elaichi, a mouth freshener under the same brand group, though not directly for the pan masala variant. However, the petitioner contends that the shared brand identity may still mislead consumers about the product’s nature and safety.