(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)

Bollywood actor Salman Khan has landed in legal trouble after a complaint was filed against him in an Indian consumer court, over charges that advertisements for a popular pan masala (a mouth freshener that can also contain tobacco) brand endorsed by him were "misleading".

The complaint, filed by senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Rajasthan High Court advocate Inder Mohan Singh Honey at the Kota Consumer Court in Rajasthan, seeks a ban on such advertisements. Following the complaint, the court has issued notices to the actor and sought a formal response.

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According to the complaint, the company manufacturing Rajshree Pan Masala and its brand ambassador, actor Salman Khan, have been engaged in misleading advertising by promoting the product as containing "saffron-infused cardamom" and "saffron-infused pan masala."

The petitioner questioned the credibility of these claims, arguing that saffron, which costs nearly Rs 400,000 (Dh16, 555 approximately) per kilogram, cannot logically be an ingredient in a product priced at Rs 5.

Such misleading advertisements influence young people to consume pan masala, which is linked to an increasing number of cancer cases.

"The company, Rajshree Pan Masala and its brand ambassador, actor Salman Khan, claim that the product contains saffron and encourages the youth to consume it. Salman Khan is a role model for many people. We have filed a complaint against it in the Kota Consumer Court and notices have been issued for a hearing," Advocate Inder Mohan Singh Honey said.

He further added, "Celebrities or film stars in other countries don't even promote cold drinks, but (here) they're promoting tobacco and pan masala. I urge them to not spread the wrong message to the youth as pan masala is one of the leading causes of mouth cancer."

The Kota Consumer Court has taken cognisance of the matter and scheduled a hearing for November 27, 2025.

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