**NHRC Seeks FIR Against Ranbir Kapoor and Netflix Over Vaping Scene in ‘The Ba***ds of Bollywood’**
*By Shreya Mukherjee | Sep 22, 2025, 05:52 PM*
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has initiated steps to seek legal action against actor Ranbir Kapoor and the streaming platform Netflix over a vaping scene in the web series *The Ba***ds of Bollywood*. The complaint alleges that Kapoor was shown using e-cigarettes without any health warning or disclaimer, which violates Indian law.
### Legal Action Recommended
The NHRC has recommended filing First Information Reports (FIRs) against Ranbir Kapoor, the producers of *The Ba***ds of Bollywood*, the production company, and Netflix. This move is based on the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019, which bans the production, sale, and advertisement of e-cigarettes in India.
In addition to urging legal action, the NHRC has requested an Action Taken Report (ATR) from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) and the Mumbai Police regarding this issue.
### Public Health Concerns
The complaint, filed by Vinay Joshi of the Legal Rights Observatory, highlights the potential negative impact of the vaping scene on younger audiences. Joshi argued that depicting the use of a banned substance like e-cigarettes without any health warning or disclaimer could mislead or encourage youth to engage in illegal activities.
The NHRC emphasized the necessity for “appropriate action” against such content on OTT platforms, considering its influence on impressionable viewers.
### The Controversial Scene
*The Ba***ds of Bollywood* is a seven-episode series featuring several Bollywood stars in cameo roles, including Ranbir Kapoor. In one episode, Kapoor is shown using a vape after Anya Singh’s character refuses to become his manager, offering him her vape instead.
The complaint points out that this scene lacked any accompanying health warnings or disclaimers, raising concerns about promoting illegal and harmful behavior.
### Series Reception
Despite the controversy, *The Ba***ds of Bollywood* has been well-received by both critics and audiences. Released on Netflix last week, the series marks the directorial debut of Aryan Khan and is produced by Gauri Khan under the Red Chillies Entertainment banner.
The show features a star-studded cast including Bobby Deol, Lakshya, Raghav Juyal, Sahher Bambba, Mona Singh, and Gautami Kapoor. Since its release, fans have been actively engaging with the content, decoding Bollywood meta moments, and sharing memes related to the series.
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The ongoing legal scrutiny highlights the increasing attention on how OTT platforms depict sensitive subjects and the responsibility to comply with Indian laws and public health guidelines.
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