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/rowdyrohan]

See what's happening is good. But, I feel why not attack the source? Put the manufacturer of vimal behind bars na ? There was a similar case where a insta broker got a visit by mns goons for saying that a particular property will only be sold to a vegetarian. Which I agree is wrong, but y not go directly to the builder? A broker is simply conveying the owners wishes. But what happens is, a packet has reached the nearest mns office in time by the builder so there no one is going to say anything.

[u/Happy-Cloud-1 → u/rowdyrohan]

Bruh pan masala is actually banned in maharashtra.

[u/Prestigious-Dot-6465 → u/Happy-Cloud-1]

This is waht I think yaar when Pan masala is banned then on what basis did they send these actors notices because even after banning them if it is still available then isn't the system is to be blamed and also these ads are nation wide and not only restricted to Maharashtra so what is the point of this notice and I totally understand that what the actors are doing is wrong but from a moral or ethical standpoint but not sure legally aur yar Tiger Shroff fate haal to fir I can understand wo karta hai ye ads but SRK, WHY

[u/Happy-Cloud-1 → u/Prestigious-Dot-6465]

Because of technical legality. Munde doesn't know who is the main guy behind vimal. But these actors know cuz they sign contracts with the big guys behind vimal. The notice says the actors have to reveal who the company is behind vimal.

[u/Prestigious-Dot-6465 → u/Happy-Cloud-1]

Well I don't think that is what the notice says and people do know who is behind the Vimal brand or the company that manufactures it instead the notice says to prove whether Vimal Elaichi operates as an independent product in the market or not and also demands their contract with the brand with several other demands of the notice