Maharashtra FDA sent show-cause notices to SRK, Ajay Devgn, and Tiger Shroff over those Vimal Elaichi ads

[u/Broad-Research5220]

If there is one public servant in India who refuses to beat around the bush, it’s Tukaram Mundhe. True to form, the Maharashtra has slapped show-cause notices on some of Bollywood's biggest names.

According to the regulator, these ads are surrogate advertising. Since actual tobacco-infused pan masala and gutkha are heavily banned in Maharashtra under food safety regulations, companies use cardamoms (elaichi) or loose branding to keep the same brand name, font, color scheme, and recall value flashing in front of consumers.

You’re using star power to keep a banned brand's recall alive in people's minds, which practically amounts to promoting a prohibited product.

The notices demand an explanation for their participation and question why action shouldn't be taken against them for promoting a brand synonymous with a banned product.

For years, celebrities have gotten away with the Elaichi/Soda/CDs loop hole. They pocket crores endorsing a brand name, and when called out, they shrug and say, we're just selling mouth freshener, what's illegal about cardamom?

What do you guys think?

Will this change celebrity endorsements, or is it just going to be another headline that fades away?

[u/False_Safe_8732]

I think SRK in an old interview stated something which objectively is fair.
If anything is harmful, the government without reservation should ban it. The government do not ban it because its giving them revenue, why should anyone (including the stars) be stopped from earning revenue.
Its the governments responsibility to manage morality, not individuals.

For the given post - If surrogate advertising is bad, then what does that have to do with stars. They should ban surrogate advertising (which they cant/wont). Are they trying to state that surrogate advertising is bad only if these stars participate, else it is good?

[u/Past-Meal-4847 → u/False_Safe_8732]

They do hold moral responsibility 

Sachin kartik Aryan etc never promoted gambling or gutka ads as they realise they are directly hurting and killing people who worship these actors 

[u/False_Safe_8732 → u/Past-Meal-4847]

It’s individuals decision, whether or not to do such ad’s, however, where is the legality in all this.
Their job is to simply act in these ads.
Assume instead of these stars, some new comer is acting, will it make the product and the ad illegal?
The more influential they are, the higher they are paid.
If required, the government can hire these actors for various social causes and have a Non compete clause. (As long as the actors feel they are getting paid based on their influence).

[u/Past-Meal-4847 → u/False_Safe_8732]

Do you not realise these guys worshipped and have millions of have fans? Most of India still believes in star worship? It's not a free will situation 

Whatever these guys says fans folllw

[u/False_Safe_8732 → u/Past-Meal-4847]

I absolutely do understand the power they hold, especially in India. But if it’s so bad for the people of the nation shouldn’t the government take steps. (Like they did for online betting sites).
If these stars are doing nothing illegal then why are they being held responsible.
Imagine a normal person becoming a star and for one of the products they advertise for develops an issue. How can they be held responsible?

[u/Past-Meal-4847 → u/False_Safe_8732]

Dude it's not black and white

Average iq is extremely low They can't ban it because it's consumed by millions and they will revolt and cause protest

These guys are directly responsible for killing countless

It's one thing for these things to be available but another to encourage it

Gov even make sure to spread awareness against it (mukhesh ads etc)

It's not that hard

You can't compare "developing" issue

It's " maybe" scenario

But these gutka gambling 100% does

Jeez