**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 called for legal action against actor Ranbir Kapoor and the streaming giant Netflix over a controversial vaping scene in the web series *The Ba***ds of Bollywood*. The complaint alleges that Kapoor was shown using e-cigarettes without any accompanying health warnings or disclaimers, which is claimed to be a violation of Indian law.
### Legal Action Recommended by NHRC
The NHRC has recommended filing FIRs against Ranbir Kapoor, the producers of *The Ba***ds of Bollywood*, the production company behind the series, and Netflix. This move is grounded in the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019, which bans the production, sale, and advertisement of e-cigarettes in India.
Alongside urging legal proceedings, the NHRC has also requested an Action Taken Report (ATR) from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) and the Mumbai Police to address the issue.
### Public Health Concerns Raised
The complaint, filed by Vinay Joshi of the Legal Rights Observatory, expressed concerns that the vaping scene could mislead young viewers. Joshi argued that showing Ranbir Kapoor using a banned e-cigarette without any health warnings or disclaimers may promote the use of illegal substances among impressionable youth.
The NHRC emphasized the necessity for “appropriate action” against such content on OTT platforms to protect vulnerable audiences.
### Details About the Controversial Scene
In the seven-episode series, which features several Bollywood stars in cameo appearances, Kapoor is seen vaping in one episode after Anya Singh’s character declines to become his manager and instead offers him her vape. The scene was broadcast without any health warnings or disclaimers, sparking criticism for potentially influencing young viewers and promoting illegal activities.
### Series Reception
Despite the controversy, *The Ba***ds of Bollywood* has been widely appreciated by both critics and audiences. The series, which marks Aryan Khan’s directorial debut, was released on Netflix last week.
Produced by Gauri Khan under the Red Chillies Entertainment banner, the show boasts 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 series by decoding Bollywood meta moments and sharing memes on social media.
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*Stay tuned for updates on the NHRC’s legal proceedings and the responses from Netflix and Ranbir Kapoor.*
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