There was a moment in a Netflix web series that stirred debate, not for its drama, but for what was shown on screen. A brief scene featuring a famous actor grabbed attention, and soon a serious complaint followed, alleging that the depiction could harm young viewers.
What is the entire matter?
In The Ba***ds of Bollywood, directed by Aryan Khan, Ranbir Kapoor appears in a cameo playing himself. During this brief scene, he is shown using a e-cigarette, a substance banned under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019. The problem? No on-screen warning or disclaimer accompanied the scene. This omission triggered concern from viewers and a legal rights activist, who claimed such content violates regulations and may influence impressionable audiences.
What’s the legal fallout?
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has stepped in, asking for an “Action Taken Report” from both the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Mumbai Police. The NHRC’s letter emphasized that showing a banned e-cigarette without a statutory warning is a potential breach of Indian law and may mislead or affect youth. While The Ba***ds of Bollywood has stirred excitement for its star-studded cameos and behind-the-scenes satire, this scene with Ranbir Kapoor has ignited a larger conversation about cinematic responsibility, especially in the portrayal of banned substances.
What was the scene?
Ranbir Kapoor appears in a cameo in The Ba***ds of Bollywood playing himself. In the final episode, there is a moment where he meets Karan Johar and Anya Singh (who plays the manager of the protagonist, Aasmaan Singh). In that interaction, Ranbir asks for a vape, is shown holding and smoking an e-cigarette. This takes place without any on-screen warning or disclaimer about vaping or e-cigarettes.
The authorities have been urged to register an FIR (First Information Report) against Ranbir Kapoor, Netflix, and the producers of the series, for allegedly violating the law. The complainant behind the case is Vinay Joshi, who filed the complaint via the Legal Rights Observatory.
Story Highlights
- Ranbir Kapoor’s cameo in Aryan Khan’s Netflix series The Ba***ds of Bollywood has landed in controversy** for depicting him using a banned e-cigarette on screen.
- The scene does not carry any statutory warning or disclaimer, violating the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019.
- A complaint was filed by Vinay Joshi from the Legal Rights Observatory, alleging that such portrayals could influence impressionable audiences.
- NHRC has taken cognizance and asked the Ministry of I&B and Mumbai Police for an “Action Taken Report,” and an FIR against Ranbir Kapoor, Netflix, and the producers is being sought.
A brief vape scene featuring Ranbir Kapoor in Aryan Khan’s OTT series The Ba***ds of Bollywood has sparked a legal storm. The lack of statutory warnings while showing a banned substance has led to official complaints, with NHRC demanding action.