Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has been issued a notice by the Kota Consumer Court in Rajasthan over allegations of promoting “misleading” advertisements for Rajshree Pan Masala, a product linked to health risks like mouth cancer. The complaint, filed on November 4, 2025, by BJP leader and Rajasthan High Court advocate Inder Mohan Singh Honey, accuses Khan and the manufacturer of falsely claiming the ₹5 product is “saffron-infused,” despite saffron’s high cost of ₹4 lakh per kilogram making it implausible. As a “role model for many,” Khan’s endorsement allegedly influences youth toward harmful consumption, sparking a legal storm in India’s ₹101 billion entertainment industry, where 467 million social media users debate celebrity accountability amid 1 million #SalmanPanMasala X mentions.
A Saffron Claim Sparks Legal Bite
The controversy erupted when Honey filed the petition, highlighting how Khan’s ads for the brand’s elaichi (cardamom) variant—promoted as “saffron-infused”—extend to pan masala, blurring lines and deceiving consumers. “Celebrities abroad don’t even endorse cold drinks, but here they promote tobacco and pan masala,” Honey said, urging Khan to avoid “spreading the wrong message to the youth.” Pan masala’s association with oral cancer, per health experts, amplifies the stakes. The court, acknowledging the complaint’s gravity, issued notices to Khan and Rajshree Pan Masala, demanding formal responses. This isn’t Khan’s first brush: Similar scrutiny hit Shah Rukh Khan’s Pan Masala ads in 2022, with bans on surrogate tobacco promotions under COTPA laws.
The Court’s Call: Notices and November Hearing
The Kota Consumer Court, under consumer protection norms, has scheduled a hearing for November 27, 2025, to probe if the ads violate truth-in-advertising rules. Honey’s plea emphasizes economic deception—saffron at ₹5 per pouch?—and public health perils, citing rising cancer cases among young users. Khan, yet to respond, has endorsed the brand’s mouth freshener line, but the suit argues his star power indirectly boosts the full range. Legal experts note celebrities bear endorser liability under the Consumer Protection Act 2019, potentially facing fines or ad bans. Rajshree Pan Masala, a staple in the ₹10,000 crore betel industry, claims no tobacco content, but critics decry surrogate marketing.
Fan Divide and Broader Endorsement Ethics
Social media split: Supporters defended Khan—”Ads are just business; blame the makers!”—while detractors raged, “Salman as a role model? Time to choose health over hype.” The backlash echoes 2023’s crackdown on 200+ celeb tobacco ads, with fines totaling ₹500 crore. In India’s 780-language cultural mosaic, where pan masala consumption hits 500 million users annually (per FICCI-EY 2025), the case spotlights ethical dilemmas—celebrity clout vs. public welfare—amid rising youth cancer rates (up 20%, ICMR data). Khan’s silence fuels speculation, but a strong defense could quash it.
A Star’s Scrutiny: Ads Under the Spotlight
Salman Khan’s pan masala notice isn’t isolated—it’s an indictment. As courts coil around claims, it hisses: Can stardom sidestep scrutiny? The November verdict will echo, urging Bollywood’s icons to weigh wealth against wellness in endorsement’s entangled embrace.
-By Manoj H