The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has formally asked the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Mumbai Police to provide an Action Taken Report in response to a complaint concerning a scene in The Ba**ds of Bollywood*. The complaint alleges that actor Ranbir Kapoor is shown using a banned e‑cigarette in the show—without any warning or disclaimer—potentially influencing younger audiences.

The grievance was filed by Vinay Joshi from Legal Rights Observatory. In his complaint, dated September 22, Joshi points out that The Ba**ds of Bollywood* depicts “a well known actor, Ranbir Kapoor, using a banned e‑cigarette on screen, without any warning or disclaimer”. He argues the scene was streamed openly and could mislead or negatively influence young viewers. The complaint seeks legal action against the show’s actors, producers, and Netflix for violating Indian law and promoting harmful content.

Ranbir Appears in a Cameo Role

Ranbir Kapoor appears in a cameo role in the finale wherein he meets filmmaker Karan Johar and Sanya (Anya Singh), who manages the show’s lead character, Aasmaan Singh (played by Lakshya). It is during this encounter that Kapoor’s character uses a vape.

The Netflix series, which launched on September 18, runs seven episodes and features a range of prominent Bollywood personalities in cameo roles, including Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Ranveer Singh, and Emraan Hashmi, among others.

Under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019, use or depiction of banned electronic cigarettes without warnings contravenes legal norms. The NHRC, acting on the complaint, is investigating whether the scene violates this act. It has asked relevant authorities to clarify what steps, if any, have been taken in response to the issue.