Bollywood actor Sunny Deol recently made strong statements about refusing to promote pan masala and gutkha products. He said his conscience does not allow him to endorse such items. But soon after his comments went public, the internet found an old advertisement where he appeared in a pan masala commercial. This has created quite a buzz on social media.
The timing of Sunny Deol’s statement is important. The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has sent show-cause notices to Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn, and Tiger Shroff for their Vimal Elaichi advertisement. The FDA believes this ad is a way to indirectly promote pan masala, which is banned in Maharashtra.
Sunny Deol’s Clear Stand on Pan Masala Endorsements
During a conversation on Shubhankar Mishra’s podcast, Sunny Deol spoke openly about why he stays away from pan masala advertisements. He made it very clear that he has received many offers over the years but has always said no to them.
“I don’t do pan masala ads and kabhi karunga bhi nahi. I wouldn’t do any of those things. Aatey hai but nahi karunga. I don’t want to do something which I don’t believe in.”
The actor explained that he does not think pan masala is something worth promoting. He said that his decision comes from his personal beliefs and values. Sunny Deol also shared that he has turned down many other opportunities for the same reason.
“Kitni cheezein nahi karta because mera zameer nahi manta isliye aur jo karni hoti hai voh kar leta hoon.”
This translates to: “There are so many things I don’t do because my conscience doesn’t allow it, and the ones that need to be done, I simply do.”
The actor also talked about why he does not get many advertising offers compared to other Bollywood stars. He said he does not understand why brands do not approach him.
Old Pan Masala Ad of Sunny Deol Goes Viral
Shortly after Sunny Deol’s statements made headlines, social media users found an old advertisement featuring the actor. The commercial shows Sunny Deol with actors Ravi Kishan and Vijay Raaz.
In the ad, Sunny Deol arrives at a paan shop with two women who ask for meetha paan. He then eats the paan, and his picture appears on the pan masala packaging. The product packaging clearly says “No tobacco” and “No nicotine”.
This old commercial has created confusion because Sunny Deol just said he would never do such advertisements. Social media users have been quick to point out this contradiction.
One X user wrote, “Money follows my brothaaa.” Another user defended the actor, saying, “He is talking about recent times. I really haven’t seen him in any ads in recent times.”
The old advertisement is for Santoor Meetha Pan, and it has now become a topic of discussion online.
FDA Takes Action Against Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn, and Tiger Shroff
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration has issued show-cause notices to Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn, and Tiger Shroff. The notices are about their Vimal Elaichi advertisement. The FDA believes this ad is a form of surrogate advertising for Vimal Pan Masala.
Surrogate advertising means promoting a banned product by advertising something else that is connected to it. In this case, the actors appeared in an ad for elaichi (cardamom), but the FDA says it indirectly promotes pan masala.
The notices were sent to Ajay Devgn at his Juhu residence, Shah Rukh Khan at Mannat in Bandra, and Tiger Shroff through his production company. The actors have been asked to explain their role in the advertisement.
The FDA notice states that the advertisement’s presentation and branding create a direct link with prohibited tobacco products. The regulator has invoked Sections 24 and 53 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Under Section 53, there can be a penalty of up to Rs 10 lakh for publishing misleading food advertisements.
Maharashtra has banned pan masala containing tobacco or nicotine. The latest prohibition order came into effect on July 13, 2026. The FDA has been running a strong campaign against illegal gutkha and tobacco networks in the state.
The Bigger Picture of Celebrity Endorsements
Sunny Deol’s comments come at a time when many Bollywood actors are facing questions about promoting pan masala and related products. Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, Shah Rukh Khan, and Tiger Shroff have all been associated with elaichi brands.
The debate about celebrities promoting such products is not new. Many people have raised concerns about whether actors should endorse products that are linked to tobacco, even when the ads show them as elaichi products.
Sunny Deol’s statement that he refuses such endorsements has earned him praise from many fans. But the old advertisement has added a new twist to the story. Some people believe that the old ad was for a “no tobacco” product, so it might not contradict his current position. Others feel that any association with pan masala, even without tobacco, is still problematic.
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Sunny Deol’s Current Work
On the work front, Sunny Deol is currently seen in the film ‘Batwara 1947’. The movie released on August 14, 2026. He also has Nitesh Tiwari’s ‘Ramayana’ coming up, where he will play the role of Lord Hanuman.
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