An old pan-masala advertisement featuring actor Sunny Deol, Ravi Kishan, and Vijay Raaz has resurfaced on social media platforms [1, 2].
The video has reignited a public debate over the ethics of celebrity endorsements and the validity of "no tobacco" claims used to market these products [1, 2].
The controversy stems from a direct contradiction between the video footage and Deol's own public statements. The actor recently said that he had never appeared in pan-masala advertisements and would not endorse such products in the future [3].
"I don't do pan masala ads and kabhi karunga bhi nahi. I wouldn't do any of those things," Deol said [2].
Despite these assertions, the resurfaced footage shows Deol appearing alongside actors Ravi Kishan, and Vijay Raaz to promote the product [1, 2]. The advertisement highlights a "no tobacco" claim, a common marketing tactic used by pan-masala brands to distance themselves from the health risks associated with tobacco products [1, 2].
Internet users have questioned the actor's conscience following the video's reappearance [2]. The discourse focuses on whether celebrities bear a long-term responsibility for the health perceptions created by their past endorsements, even those for products claiming to be tobacco-free [1, 2].
The original advertisement was produced in India and had not been widely discussed until it began circulating again online [1]. While the video provides visual evidence of the endorsement, the actor continues to distance himself from the industry [3].
“"I don't do pan masala ads and kabhi karunga bhi nahi."”
This incident highlights the growing tension between celebrity brand management and the permanence of digital archives. As public health awareness regarding pan-masala and surrogate advertising increases in India, stars face heightened scrutiny for past associations that conflict with their current public personas.
