'The Ba***ds of Bollywood': NHRC asks authorities to take action on Ranbir Kapoor's 'e-cigarette' scene in Aryan Khan's series

TRIGGER WARNING: This article contains references to the use of e-cigarettes (vaping) and banned substances.

Aryan Khan’s directorial debut series, 'The Ba***ds of Bollywood', is now facing legal scrutiny. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Mumbai Police for an Action Taken Report regarding a complaint against the series.

The complaint is about a scene where actor Ranbir Kapoor, in a cameo, is seen using a banned e-cigarette (vape) without any warnings.

Complainant raises concerns over banned substance

According to a report shared by IANS on X, the complainant, Mr Vinay Joshi of the Legal Rights Observatory, stated, "The complainant, Mr. Vinay Joshi, Legal Rights Observatory, alleged that a popular Netflix web series, titled 'Bads of Bollywood' (season 1, episode 7), showed a well-known actor, Ranbir Kapoor, using a banned e-cigarette on screen, without any warning or disclaimer."

He further said, "The complainant further alleged that this scene was streamed openly, which misled or negatively influenced young viewers by promoting the use of such banned substances. The complainant expressed concerns that such irresponsible content promotes illegal activities, disrespects law enforcement, and harms public health and morality. The complainant sought the intervention of the Commission and requested strict legal action against the actors, producers, and Netflix for violating Indian laws and spreading harmful content."

NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo issues statement

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) member Priyank Kanoongo told ANI, "We received a complaint from an organisation called the Legal Rights Observatory. The complainant stated that there is a series called 'The Ba***ds of Bollywood' on the Netflix OTT platform. In one episode of this series, actor Ranbir Kapoor is smoking an e-cigarette.... We have issued a notice to the Commissioner of Mumbai Police. We have asked him to file an FIR under the appropriate sections and take legal action against this actor, this production company, and this OTT platform. We have also asked him to identify the manufacturers, importers, stockists, and sellers of these e-cigarettes and take appropriate legal action against them. We have also issued a notice to the Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, asking him to remove this and take action against the relevant platforms."

Ranbir Kapoor’s cameo scene explained

The seven-episode series features many Bollywood stars in cameo roles. Ranbir Kapoor appears in one episode, and it is during this guest appearance that he is seen vaping after Anya Singh’s character refuses to become his manager and offers him her vape.

The complaint highlights that the scene was shown without any warnings or disclaimers, which could influence young viewers or promote illegal activity.

See More: 'The Ba***ds of Bollywood': Ibrahim Ali Khan’s hilarious cameo in Aryan Khan’s series goes viral; fans call it his best performance yet

Authorities asked to provide action taken report

The NHRC has now formally asked the Information and Broadcasting Ministry and Mumbai Police to provide an Action Taken Report. This move could lead to further investigation and possible legal action against the actors, producers, or the streaming platform.

DISCLAIMER: If you or someone you know is affected by substance abuse please seek help from available support organisations or helplines.