Bollywood actor Sunny Deol has made his position clear on pan masala advertisements. He says he will never endorse such products, regardless of the money offered. His statement comes at a time when three major Bollywood stars have received official notices from the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over their involvement with a pan masala-linked advertisement.
The Gadar 2 actor spoke about his decision during a recent podcast conversation. He explained that his conscience does not allow him to promote products he does not believe in. Sunny Deol said he has received multiple offers from pan masala brands but has turned down every single one of them.
Sunny Deol Says No to Pan Masala Ads Forever
During a podcast with Shubhankar Mishra, Sunny Deol was asked about his absence from pan masala commercials. His response was direct and firm. He said, “I don’t do pan masala ads and kabhi karunga bhi nahi (I will never do pan masala ads). I wouldn’t do any of those things. Aatey hai but nahi karunga (Offers come but I refuse).”
The 68-year-old actor further explained his reasoning. He stated, “I don’t want to do something which I don’t believe in. Main in sab cheezon ko manta nahi hoon (I don’t believe in these things). I don’t think this is a good thing to promote.”
Sunny Deol linked his decision to his personal principles. He said there are many things he has refused simply because his inner voice told him not to do them. “Kitni cheezein nahi karta because mera zameer nahi manta isliye aur jo karni hoti hai voh kar leta hoon (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),” he added.
Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn, Tiger Shroff Receive FDA Notices
Sunny Deol’s comments have gained attention because three of Bollywood’s biggest names are currently under official scrutiny. The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration has issued show-cause notices to Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn, and Tiger Shroff.
The notices relate to a Vimal Elaichi advertisement that the three actors appeared in together during 2024. The FDA alleges that this advertisement is a form of surrogate advertising. Surrogate advertising means promoting one product to indirectly advertise another product that is banned or restricted.
Maharashtra has prohibited the manufacture, storage, transportation, distribution, and sale of pan masala in the state for one year. The prohibition order was issued on July 13, 2026, by the Commissioner of Food Safety, Maharashtra State.
The FDA’s nine-page notice states that the Vimal Elaichi advertisement appears to promote the Vimal brand, which is primarily associated with pan masala. The regulator believes the campaign could mislead consumers and create an indirect association with a prohibited product.
Details of the FDA Show-Cause Notices
The show-cause notices were personally delivered to the actors this week. Ajay Devgn received his notice at his Juhu residence. Shah Rukh Khan was served at his Bandra home, Mannat. Tiger Shroff was notified through his production company, Tiger Shroff Productions LLP.
Maharashtra Food Safety Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe issued the notices on August 11, 2026. The FDA has directed the actors to immediately stop participating in the campaign and remove promotional material related to the advertisement from their official social media accounts.
The actors have been given 15 days from the date of receipt to submit a written explanation. The FDA has warned that if no explanation is received, or if the explanation is found to be unsatisfactory, further action may be initiated under applicable law.
The regulator has invoked Section 24 of the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006, which prohibits misleading or deceptive advertisements related to food products. It has also cited Section 53 of the Act, which allows for a penalty of up to Rs 10 lakh against those found guilty of publishing misleading food advertisements.
The FDA chief has also asked the actors to provide complete copies of their endorsement agreements, campaign briefs, payment details, and documents showing that due diligence was carried out before joining the campaign. Authorities have said misleading endorsements could result in fines ranging from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 50 lakh, while endorsers could also be barred from promoting products for up to three years.
Sunny Deol Wonders Why He Gets Fewer Ad Offers
During the podcast, Sunny Deol also spoke about his limited presence in advertising compared to other Bollywood stars. He admitted that he does not fully understand why advertisers do not approach him more often.
“If I represent India and I represent the way of everything else, somehow ads don’t come to me. Why don’t they come to me? I have no idea,” he said.
He compared this situation to a phase in his career when film offers were not coming his way. “Just like films which were not coming before, I don’t know the same about the ads,” he added.
This honest admission from the actor shows that despite his star power, he has not been the first choice for many advertising campaigns. However, his principled stand on pan masala endorsements has earned him respect from many quarters.
Not the First Controversy Involving Vimal Elaichi Ads
This is not the first time that the Vimal Elaichi advertisement campaign has faced controversy. In 2022, actor Akshay Kumar found himself in a similar situation. He had appeared alongside Shah Rukh Khan and Ajay Devgn in a Vimal Elaichi advertisement.
After facing widespread criticism, Akshay Kumar apologised. He said he did not endorse tobacco products and announced that he would withdraw from the campaign. He also said he would donate his endorsement fee to a charitable cause. He added that the advertisement could continue to be broadcast for the duration of his existing contractual obligations but promised to be more careful about his future endorsements.
The current FDA action against Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn, and Tiger Shroff is part of a larger enforcement drive by the Maharashtra FDA against gutkha and pan masala products containing tobacco or nicotine. The regulator has also been cracking down on other violations, including food and milk adulteration and the sale of unhealthy food items near schools.
Related:
Sunny Deol’s Current and Upcoming Projects
On the work front, Sunny Deol’s latest film Batwara 1947 is currently running in theatres. The film is produced by Aamir Khan and marks the reunion of Sunny Deol with director Rajkumar Santoshi after nearly 30 years. Their last collaboration was the 1996 film Ghatak.
The film also stars Preity Zinta, Shabana Azmi, Karan Deol, and Ali Fazal. However, the film has received underwhelming reviews from both audiences and critics.
Sunny Deol is next set to appear in Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana, where he will play the role of Lord Hanuman.
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