Salman Khan faces legal notice over “misleading” pan masala ads

Bollywood actor Salman Khan has been issued a legal notice by the Kota Consumer Court following a complaint alleging that advertisements for Rajshree Pan Masala, endorsed by him, are “misleading.”

The complaint was filed by senior BJP leader and Rajasthan High Court advocate Inder Mohan Singh Honey, who requested a ban on such ads and questioned claims that the product contains “saffron-infused cardamom” and “saffron-infused pan masala.” Honey argued that saffron, priced at nearly Rs 4 lakh per kilogram, could not realistically be an ingredient in a product costing just Rs 5.

The petitioner also raised concerns about the influence of these ads on young people, noting the link between pan masala consumption and rising cancer cases. “Salman Khan is a role model for many. Celebrities should not promote products that encourage youth to consume pan masala, a leading cause of mouth cancer,” Honey told ANI.

The Kota Consumer Court has taken cognisance of the matter and scheduled a hearing for November 27, 2025, while responses from the actor and the company are still awaited.