NHRC urges Mumbai Police to investigate portrayal of e-cigarettes in Netflix show
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for action against actor Ranbir Kapoor, the producers of “The Ba**ds of Bollywood”*, and Netflix over a vaping scene in the web series. The commission has asked the Mumbai Police to file a case, citing violation of the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019.
In the disputed scene, Ranbir Kapoor is seen smoking an e-cigarette without any warning or disclaimer, which the complainant, Vinay Joshi, alleges could mislead and negatively influence young viewers. Joshi raised concerns that such depictions promote banned substances, encourage illegal activities, undermine law enforcement, and harm public health and morality.
The NHRC has also issued a notice to the Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, urging swift action to prohibit content that may adversely influence younger generations.
The Mumbai Police Commissioner has been instructed to investigate the identity and operations of manufacturers and importers of electronic cigarettes and submit a detailed action report to the NHRC within two weeks.
Directed by Aryan Khan, “The Ba**ds of Bollywood”* is currently streaming on Netflix. The NHRC emphasizes the importance of responsible content creation, particularly for platforms with wide youth viewership, and seeks strict compliance with laws related to e-cigarettes to safeguard public health and societal norms.