Sanjay Gupta Questions Smoking Imagery in ‘Animal,’ ‘Dhurandhar,’ and ‘Love & War’ Posters Amidst Anti-Smoking Campaigns
Filmmaker Sanjay Gupta has raised concerns about the portrayal of smoking in Bollywood film promotions. He pointed out a stark contrast between the smoking imagery seen in movie posters and the anti-smoking messages that audiences encounter in cinemas. On September 27, Gupta shared a collage on X featuring actors Ranbir Kapoor in “Animal,” Ranveer Singh in “Dhurandhar,” and Vicky Kaushal in “Love & War,” all depicted with cigarettes as part of their character looks.
Gupta Questions Anti-Smoking Messages
In his post, Gupta questioned the effectiveness of the anti-smoking reels that audiences must endure before and during films. He asked, “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?” His comments sparked a lively discussion on X, with users debating the ongoing portrayal of smoking as a part of a leading man’s image despite the presence of health warnings related to tobacco.
Response to Criticism Over Past Work
The conversation took an interesting turn when a user referenced Gupta’s 2002 film “Kaante,” pointing out a song from the movie that includes a mention of cigarette smoke. This prompted Gupta to clarify his stance on smoking imagery. He responded, “There were no non smoking ads then you genius,” emphasizing the difference in the regulatory environment between then and now.
Updated Film Certification Guidelines
Gupta’s remarks come at a time when India’s film certification guidelines are under review. On September 18, 2026, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting released updated regulations regarding the depiction of substance use in films. These new guidelines address not only smoking but also the portrayal of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. Reports indicate that films showing the consumption, use, or trafficking of illicit drugs will now be required to display an anti-drug warning on screen.
Observer Voice is the one stop site for National, International news, Sports, Editor’s Choice, Art/culture contents, Quotes and much more. We also cover historical contents. Historical contents includes World History, Indian History, and what happened today. The website also covers Entertainment across the India and World.
