Bollywood actor Salman Khan has come under scrutiny after a complaint has been filed against him in the Kota Consumer Court, alleging that his endorsement of a pan masala brand has been misleading. The complaint, submitted by Inder Mohan Singh Honey, a senior BJP leader and Rajasthan High Court advocate, has raised concerns over the truthfulness of the brand’s claims and the potential influence of such advertisements on young audiences.
As per media reports, the court has issued notices to Salman Khan and sought a formal response regarding the allegations. The hearing has been scheduled for later this month, bringing renewed focus to the ethical responsibilities of celebrity endorsers in the advertising industry.
The complaint specifically targets advertisements for Rajshree Pan Masala, which Salman Khan has promoted as a brand ambassador. It has alleged that the product was advertised as containing “saffron-infused cardamom” and “saffron-infused pan masala”, claims the petitioner has contested on the grounds of affordability. He has argued that saffron, costing nearly ₹4 lakh per kilogram, is unlikely to be included in a product sold for ₹5.
Inder Mohan Singh Honey has sought a ban on the advertisement, asserting that such representations could mislead consumers and have wider social consequences. He has also pointed out that the misleading claims may encourage young people to consume pan masala, which has been linked to rising cases of oral cancer. The court has acknowledged these concerns and fixed November 27, 2025, for the next hearing.
Before this, several other celebrities have also faced consumer court or public scrutiny over endorsements of pan masala brands, including Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, Shah Rukh Khan, and Amitabh Bachchan.
“The company, Rajshree Pan Masala, and its brand ambassador, actor Salman Khan, claim that the product contains saffron and encourages young people to consume it. Salman Khan is a role model for many people. We have filed a complaint against it in the Kota Consumer Court and notices have been issued for a hearing,” Advocate Inder Mohan Singh Honey said, as per reports.
He further said, “Celebrities or film stars in other countries don’t even promote cold drinks, but they are promoting tobacco and pan masala. I urge them not to spread the wrong message to the youth as pan masala is one of the leading causes of mouth cancer.”
The court has taken the matter seriously, and both Salman Khan and the manufacturing company are expected to respond to the allegations. So far, no official statement has been made by Salman Khan or representatives of Rajshree Pan Masala.
