The Ba***ds of Bollywood is getting all the right exposure.
But, things might just change.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a directive against actor Ranbir Kapoor, Netflix, and the makers of his latest series after a complaint was filed by Vinay Joshi of the Legal Rights Observatory.
The complaint alleges that a vaping scene in the show promotes the use of e-cigarettes, an activity banned in India under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019.
The NHRC observed that the scene could potentially glamorize vaping and influence young viewers, which raises concerns not only of legality but also of public health. Member Priyank Kanoongo, who presided over the matter, highlighted that such depictions amount to serious violations of Indian law.
The Commission has asked the Information and Broadcasting Secretary to take immediate action to prohibit the circulation of such content. Additionally, the Mumbai Police Commissioner has been directed to investigate the role of the actor, producers, and Netflix itself. The inquiry will also attempt to trace the manufacturers and importers of the e-cigarettes shown on screen.
This move opens up the possibility of an FIR being registered against Kapoor, the production team, and the platform. Authorities have been given two weeks to submit their reports.
While the action signals India’s strict stance on the e-cigarette ban, it also raises questions on creative expression in cinema and streaming.
Should a fictional scene be equated with promotion, or is it a matter of context and responsibility? The outcome of this case could set an important precedent for how such content is handled in the future.
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