Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Murmu urges film stars to avoid harmful product endorsements
President Droupadi Murmu spoke to film stars at a national awards ceremony.
She asked famous artists not to advertise products that could hurt people’s health.
She said young people often copy what popular stars do.
Her comments came after Maharashtra officials questioned three actors about a Vimal Elaichi advertisement.
The officials alleged that the advertisement indirectly promoted Vimal Pan Masala.
Murmu also asked for more women on film award juries.
She said film workers and assistants should be treated with respect and receive social security.
She believes Indian films and artists can help create a better future.
President Droupadi Murmu urged popular film artists not to endorse products harmful to people’s health.
She made the appeal while speaking at the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony for 2024.
Her remarks followed Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration notices to Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn and Tiger Shroff over a Vimal Elaichi advertisement.
Murmu called for greater representation of women on juries selecting films for the National Film Awards.
She also urged the film industry to provide respect and social security for workers, assistants and small-scale artists.
- Who
- President Droupadi Murmu, film artists, film-industry workers, and the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration; notices involved Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn and Tiger Shroff.
- What
- Murmu urged film stars not to endorse harmful health products and called for more women on award juries and better treatment of film workers.
- When
- Tuesday, at the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony for 2024; the remarks came weeks after the Maharashtra notices.
- Where
- Ekta Nagar, also known as Kevadia, near the Statue of Unity.
- Why
- Murmu said popular artists influence children and young people and should use that influence responsibly.
- Speaker
- President Droupadi Murmu
- Event
- 72nd National Film Awards ceremony
- Awards year
- 2024
- Location
- Ekta Nagar (Kevadia), near the Statue of Unity
- Actors named in notices
- Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn and Tiger Shroff
- Advertisement
- Vimal Elaichi
- Regulator’s allegation
- The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration alleged the campaign amounted to surrogate promotion of Vimal Pan Masala, which it said is prohibited in Maharashtra.