Web desk: Bollywood star Salman Khan is in legal trouble again, this time for promoting a pan masala brand. A consumer court in Kota, Rajasthan, India, has sent him a notice after a complaint was filed by BJP leader and lawyer Mohan Singh Honey.
Salman Khan Faces Another Legal Trouble
Honey filed the complaint against Rajshree Pan Masala and Salman Khan, who is the ambassador of the brand.
He asked for a ban on the ads, saying they mislead consumers. According to him, the brand’s claim that the product is “saffron-infused” is false.
He said saffron costs around Rs 4 lakh per kilogram, so it cannot be used in a product that sells for only Rs 5.
Honey added that such ads encourage young people to use pan masala, which causes mouth cancer.
“Salman Khan is a role model for many. We have filed a complaint against him, and the court has issued notices. In other countries, stars don’t even promote cold drinks, but here they promote tobacco and pan masala,” Honey told the Indian media.
He urged celebrities to avoid sending the wrong message to the youth. The court has asked Salman Khan and the company to respond.
The next hearing is on November 27. The company also makes cardamom packets.
India’s pan masala industry is a multi-billion-dollar market, valued at about USD 5.52 billion in 2024.
It is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 3.9 per cent to 4.4 per cent, according to the sources.
The market’s growth is supported by its cultural importance, rising incomes, and urbanisation. However, it also faces major challenges due to health risks and strict government regulations.
Ajay Devgn, Shah Rukh Khan, and Tiger Shroff also endorse another pan masala brand that claims to have saffron.
Salman Khan has faced legal issues before, including a hit-and-run case in Mumbai and a poaching case in Rajasthan.
