Gutka Ad controversy EXPLAINED: Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn and Akshay Kumar land in trouble… Again

Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn and Akshay Kumar, as well as the gutka companies, have been issued a warning by the Center over alleged misleading advertisements.

Gutka Ad controversy EXPLAINED: Notices have been sent to Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgn for their roles in Vimal’s tobacco commercial. A petition by lawyer Motilal Yadav raised concerns about Bollywood stars and Padma Awardees potentially endorsing unhealthy products through their endorsements. The actors and pan masala firms promoting gutka have received a notice from Justice Rajesh Singh Chauhan of the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court.

Now, Akshay Kumar recently appeared with Ajay Devgn and Shah Rukh Khan in a new Vimal commercial. The ad also featured actor and model Soundarya Sharma. Their fans were not very enthusiastic about their endorsement decision for the tobacco company.

The Government of India has issued notice to the Gutka company and transferred the investigation of the case to a DG level official. A notice has also been issued to SRK, Ajay and Akshay. Two steps have been taken: first, a protocol should be put in place to confiscate the ‘Padma’ prizes awarded to these actors; and second, a lawsuit should be filed against the tobacco companies and the actors. Secondly, the artistes and the gutkha firms will also have to pay a fine of Rs 50 lakh.

Lawyer Moti Lal Yadav told ANI: “Actors like Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan have made misleading advertisements for tobacco products. I filed a PIL in the Allahabad High Court on September 22. Following this, HC issued two directions to the Government of India. Firstly, a directive should be issued to seize the ‘Padma’ awards given to these actors and a case should be filed against the tobacco manufacturing company and the actors. Secondly, a fine of Rs 50 lakh will also be imposed on the actors and the gutka companies for making misleading advertisements.

There is also a case pending in the Supreme Court against gutka companies, which has taken the Supreme Court four months. While the contempt case remains pending, the Supreme Court will take further action in May.

(With PTI inputs)