📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Bollywood Hungama
Entertainment
Celebrity Pan Masala Ads Spark Backlash: From Big B to Anushka, Priyanka, Hrithik
✍️ The Statesman
🗓 18 Aug 2026, 05:34 AM
👁 5
Several Bollywood stars, including Akshay Kumar, Anushka Sharma, Priyanka Chopra and Hrithik Roshan, faced public backlash after endorsing pan masala and elaichi products.
The controversy erupted after a series of celebrity endorsements for pan masala and cardamom products were aired. The ads featured big names like Akshay Kumar, Anushka Sharma, Priyanka Chopra and Hrithik Roshan. Health experts and consumer groups criticized the promotion of tobacco‑related products, citing the risk of addiction and health hazards. Social media users and public health advocates called for stricter regulations and urged the celebrities to reconsider their endorsements.