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Sanjay Gupta questioned why audiences are shown anti-smoking messages and ads in cinemas while smoking continues to feature prominently in posters of Bollywood films.
Sanjay Gupta Slams Posters Showing Ranbir, Ranveer, Vicky Smoking: ‘What’s The Point Of Anti-Smoking Reels?’
Filmmaker Sanjay Gupta has sparked a conversation about the way smoking continues to be used as part of a hero’s visual identity in Hindi cinema, especially in film posters. On Sunday, Gupta shared a collage featuring posters of Ranbir Kapoor in Animal, Ranveer Singh in Dhurandhar and the recently released poster of Vicky Kaushal from Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s upcoming film Love & War. All three promotional posters show the actors smoking. He pointed out the contrast between such visuals and the anti-smoking warnings audiences see in cinemas, sparking a debate online.
Sanjay Gupta Questions Smoking Imagery In Bollywood Posters
On Sunday, Sanjay Gupta questioned the apparent contradiction between such imagery and the anti-smoking messages and ads audiences are routinely shown in cinemas.
“What is the point of those unpleasant anti smoking reels we have to endure before and during films when these are the posters of the films?” he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
His Post Triggers A Debate
Sanjay Gupta’s observation quickly attracted responses from netizens. Some agreed with his criticism, while others questioned the filmmaker’s own past work.
One user pointed to Gupta’s 2002 film Kaante, specifically citing a song from the movie that includes a reference to cigarettes. The user called the comparison ironic. Gupta responded by arguing that the context was different when Kaante was released.
“Suprised that this is coming from the director of the movie Kaante which has a song which says ‘ciggrate ke dhuan ka challa banake, collar ko thodasa upar chada ke’…what an irony,” read the netizen’s comment. To this, Sanjay Gupta replied, “There were no non smoking ads then you genius.”
The discussion broadened into a debate over how smoking and masculinity are portrayed in Indian films. “Because these people think that cigarette is the only thing that shows a man masculine. This is the lack of creativity. All Indian film industries are suffering from ‘masculinity sycophancy’. Bhaad mai gaya content, story aur creativity,” commented one X user, while another one commented, “Couldn’t agree more , dead right.”
The discussion comes at a time when regulations concerning the depiction of substance use in films are also receiving renewed attention.
Revised certification guidelines issued by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), and notified by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on September 16 under the Cinematograph Act, include a mandatory warning for films depicting the consumption, use or trafficking of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances.
Under the revised provisions, such scenes must carry the warning: “Illicit Narcotics Destroy Health and Guarantees Imprisonment. Say No to Drugs.”
CBFC Gets A New Board
The regulatory changes coincide with the Centre’s reconstitution of the CBFC, with an 18-member board announced alongside the revised framework.
The new panel includes actors such as Preity Zinta, Pankaj Tripathi, Suniel Shetty, Pallavi Joshi and Prosenjit Chatterjee, along with filmmaker Priyadarshan and Grammy-winning musician Ricky Kej.
Why did filmmaker Sanjay Gupta criticize recent Bollywood film posters?
How did Sanjay Gupta defend his past film Kaante against hypocrisy claims?
What new regulatory guidelines were issued by the CBFC under the Cinematograph Act?
September 27, 2026, 18:43 IST
