NHRC Seeks FIR Against Ranbir Kapoor, Netflix Over Alleged E-Cigarette Use in Web Series

September 22, 2025

New Delhi, Sep 22: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken serious note of a complaint alleging that actor Ranbir Kapoor was seen using banned e-cigarettes on-screen in the Netflix web series “The Ba**ds of Bollywood”* without the mandatory health warning or disclaimer.

In response, the NHRC has issued a formal letter to the Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, urging appropriate action to prohibit such content that may potentially influence the youth in a harmful way.

On the basis of a complaint that Netflix web series titled the ‘The Ba***ds of Bollywood’ allegedly showed actor Ranbir Kapoor using banned e-cigarettes on screen without a warning or disclaimer, the National Human Rights Commission writes to the Secretary, Ministry of…

— ANI (@ANI) September 22, 2025

The Commission has also addressed the Commissioner of Mumbai Police, requesting the registration of an FIR against Ranbir Kapoor, along with the producers, production company, and OTT platform Netflix, for allegedly violating the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019.

According to the complaint received by the Commission, the scene showing the actor using an e-cigarette was aired without any statutory health warning, a direct contravention of laws that prohibit not just the sale and use of e-cigarettes but also their promotion, advertisement, or depiction in media content.

The NHRC noted that such unregulated portrayals could have a negative impact on impressionable viewers, especially the youth, by normalising the use of banned substances.

“The visual depiction of banned e-cigarette use by a popular film star without warning could glamorise illegal activity and influence public behaviour, particularly among adolescents,” the letter reportedly stated.

The Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019, passed by the Indian Parliament, makes the production, manufacture, import, export, transport, sale, distribution, storage, and advertisement of e-cigarettes a punishable offence. The law was introduced to curb the rising use of vaping devices among teenagers and young adults.

While Netflix has not issued a public response yet, legal experts suggest that the OTT platform and the creators of the series may face legal scrutiny under both criminal and regulatory frameworks if the allegations are substantiated.

Meanwhile, actor Ranbir Kapoor or his legal team have not commented on the matter as of this report’s publication.

The NHRC has asked authorities to take appropriate legal steps and report back with updates on action taken.