Sanjay Gupta calls out smoking imagery in Animal, Dhurandhar and Love & War posters; asks why anti-smoking reels are shown in theatres
Here's the latest update from the Bollywood world:
Sharing the images, Gupta questioned the purpose of the anti-smoking messages that audiences encounter while watching films in theatres. He wrote, "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 (sic)?"
Adding to this, The filmmaker's post quickly prompted a discussion on X, with users debating whether smoking continues to be presented as a part of a leading man's screen image despite the presence of tobacco-related health warnings.
Meanwhile, 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? pic.twitter.com/oQSkEWkTZl
Notably, — Sanjay Gupta (@_SanjayGupta) September 27, 2026
As per the latest buzz, One user brought up Gupta's 2002 movie Kaante while responding to his post. The user pointed to the movie's song ‘ Rama Re ,’ which contains a reference to cigarette smoke, and questioned the filmmaker's stance on smoking imagery. Gupta responded by highlighting the difference between the regulatory environment then and now. "There were no non smoking ads then you genius (sic)," he wrote.
In further updates, There were no non smoking ads then you genius.
On top of that, — Sanjay Gupta (@_SanjayGupta) September 27, 2026
Gupta's comments also come at a time when India's rules around the depiction of substance use in films are undergoing renewed attention. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting published revised guidelines for the certification of films for public exhibition on September 18, 2026.
Source: Bollywood Hungama