Archive · 28 Sep 2026
Sanjay Gupta Questions Smoking Imagery in Bollywood Film Posters
Filmmaker Sanjay Gupta noticed that three Bollywood posters showed actors smoking cigarettes.
The posters were for Animal, Dhurandhar and Love & War.
They featured Ranbir Kapoor, Ranveer Singh and Vicky Kaushal.
Gupta asked why cinemas show anti-smoking warnings if movie posters still use smoking images.
Some people agreed with his concern.
One person reminded him that his older film Kaante also showed Sanjay Dutt smoking.
Gupta said that anti-smoking advertisements and rules were different in 2002.
Other users said cigarettes are sometimes used to make male characters look masculine, while the articles do not say whether the posters will change.
Sanjay Gupta criticized posters showing Ranbir Kapoor, Ranveer Singh and Vicky Kaushal smoking.
The images promoted Animal, Dhurandhar and Love & War, respectively.
Gupta questioned the value of anti-smoking reels shown before and during films when promotional material features cigarettes.
A user cited Gupta’s 2002 film Kaante, which includes Sanjay Dutt smoking during a song.
Gupta responded that non-smoking advertisements, rules and public messaging were different when Kaante was released.
- Who
- Filmmaker Sanjay Gupta, actors Ranbir Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, Vicky Kaushal and Sanjay Dutt, and social media users.
- What
- Gupta questioned the use of cigarette imagery in Bollywood film posters despite anti-smoking messages shown in cinemas.
- When
- Gupta raised the issue on a Sunday; Kaante was released in 2002, and the revised drug-warning guidelines were notified on September 16.
- Where
- The discussion took place on Gupta’s X account and concerned Bollywood film promotions and cinema screenings.
- Why
- Gupta questioned whether promotional images of smoking undermine the anti-smoking reels audiences see before and during films.
Criticism of Smoking Imagery
Context and Counterarguments
Posters versus anti-smoking messages
Criticism of Smoking Imagery
Gupta and several users argued that cigarette imagery in film promotions can undermine the anti-smoking reels shown before and during movies.
Context and Counterarguments
The articles do not quote the filmmakers or actors defending the posters, but the discussion treats smoking imagery as part of film presentation and promotion.
Gupta’s earlier film
Criticism of Smoking Imagery
A user called Gupta’s criticism ironic because Kaante included a song and scene featuring Sanjay Dutt smoking.
Context and Counterarguments
Gupta replied that there were no non-smoking advertisements then and said the rules and public messaging were different when Kaante was made.
Smoking and masculinity
Criticism of Smoking Imagery
One user argued that Indian films use cigarettes to make male characters appear masculine and called this a lack of creativity.
Context and Counterarguments
No direct rebuttal to that criticism is reported in the articles.
- Person raising concern
- Filmmaker Sanjay Gupta
- Posters discussed
- Animal, Dhurandhar and Love & War
- Actors shown smoking
- Ranbir Kapoor, Ranveer Singh and Vicky Kaushal
- Earlier film cited
- Gupta’s 2002 crime drama Kaante
- Smoking depiction in Kaante
- Sanjay Dutt is shown smoking during a song.
- Love & War release date
- The film is expected to reach theatres on January 21, 2027.
- Related certification change
- Revised guidelines notified by India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting make anti-drug warnings mandatory for films depicting the consumption, use or trafficking of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances.
