Snehashish roy
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken serious action, issuing notices to both the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Mumbai Police Commissioner. This intervention stems from a complaint alleging that the Netflix web series The Ba*ds of Bollywood depicted actor Ranbir Kapoor using e-cigarettes on screen without any health warning or disclaimer, a direct violation of Indian law. The case highlights growing scrutiny over content on Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms and their adherence to national health regulations.
According to ANI, the NHRC, in its communication to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, has urged the government to take “appropriate action” to prohibit such content on OTT platforms. The commission cited the significant potential influence such portrayals can have on impressionable audiences, particularly youth, who are highly susceptible to trends seen on popular media. The concern is that depicting e-cigarette use without disclaimers normalizes a banned product, contradicting public health efforts.
Separately, the NHRC has escalated its concerns to the Mumbai Police Commissioner, recommending the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against several key parties: Ranbir Kapoor himself, the producers of the series, the production company (Red Chillies Entertainment), and Netflix. This recommendation falls under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (Production, Manufacture, Sale, Transport, Import, Export, Storage and Advertisement) Act, 2019. This comprehensive law explicitly bans the production, sale, and advertisement of e-cigarettes in India, making any on-screen promotion or depiction without proper warnings a potential legal offense.
The complaint, which prompted the NHRC’s intervention, specifically highlighted that the series not only promoted the use of banned e-cigarettes but did so without displaying the legally mandated anti-smoking disclaimers. This dual violation allegedly breaches both legal statutes and ethical broadcasting norms that govern content consumption in India, especially for a widely accessible platform like Netflix. As of now, there has been no official response from Netflix, Ranbir Kapoor, or the production team of The Ba*ds of Bollywood. Their silence prolongs the anticipation for how this high-profile case will unfold and potentially set new precedents for content regulation on streaming services.
The Ba*ds of Bollywood: Critical Acclaim Amidst Controversy
Despite the legal controversy, The Ba*ds of Bollywood, which marks Aryan Khan‘s directorial debut on Netflix, has been receiving largely positive reviews from both critics and audiences. The series, which premiered on Netflix this Thursday, is produced by Gauri Khan under the esteemed Red Chillies Entertainment banner. It features a dynamic ensemble cast that includes Lakshya, Raghav Juyal, Sahher Bambba, Mona Singh, Anya Singh, Manoj Pahwa, and Gautami Kapoor, bringing to life a narrative that offers a unique perspective on the film industry.
View this post on Instagram
An excerpt from The Hindustan Times review particularly lauded the show’s authentic yet satirical take on Bollywood: “The USP of Ba*ds are not the cameos or the glitz. It is an almost behind-the-scenes look at Bollywood’s underbelly. It comes from a man who has grown up watching all this around himself, Aryan Khan. So, there is some amount of credibility to it.” The review points out that Aryan Khan’s upbringing within a prominent film family lends a distinct, credible lens to his portrayal of the industry.
The review further notes Aryan’s choice of tone: “But Aryan chooses to do it in an unserious manner, where everything is a joke, almost like a badly-written blind or Reddit post. But this tone works because of how lightly the film industry is taken by the general population.” This deliberate comedic approach, which pokes fun at Bollywood’s “high and mighty” in a “downright silly manner,” is highlighted as a key strength. While acknowledging that it might sometimes feel “too silly,” the review concludes that this specific tone ultimately works in the show’s favor, allowing it to deliver its commentary effectively without becoming overly serious. The series, therefore, balances humor with a critical look at the inner workings of the film industry, showcasing Aryan Khan’s directorial vision.