New Delhi / Mumbai:

Bollywood’s rising director Aryan Khan, son of superstar Shah Rukh Khan, is facing legal controversy after his debut Netflix series The Bads of Bollywood ran into trouble with authorities. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken serious note of a complaint alleging promotion of e-cigarettes in one of the episodes.

The series, which premiered earlier this month to strong reviews and high viewership, features several Bollywood icons in cameo roles, including Salman Khan, Ranveer Singh, Aamir Khan, and Ranbir Kapoor.

The Controversial Scene

In episode 7, actor Ranbir Kapoor appears in a cameo with filmmaker Karan Johar. During the short sequence, Kapoor’s character casually borrows a vape, takes a puff, and continues his dialogue. While lighthearted in intent, the scene has triggered legal action because e-cigarettes are banned in India under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019.

The Complaint and NHRC Action

The complaint, filed by activist Vinay Joshi of the Legal Rights Observatory, alleged that the show glamorized e-cigarette usage without statutory health warnings. Acting on the petition, the NHRC issued notices to the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (I&B) and the Mumbai Police Commissioner.

Wider Impact on OTT Content

The development has sparked debate in the film industry. While The Ba***ds of Bollywood has been hailed for its satirical storytelling, the controversy highlights the growing scrutiny of digital content in India, especially regarding depiction of smoking, alcohol, or banned substances.

Neither Aryan Khan nor Netflix has officially commented on the notices so far.