CBFC Replaces Akshay Kumar's Anti-Smoking Ad

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has discontinued Akshay Kumar's iconic anti-smoking advertisement, known as the Nandu ad, after six years of screening before Hindi films. This decision, effective from September 2024, comes without clear reasons and will be replaced by a new ad focusing on the health benefits of quitting tobacco within just 20 minutes. The original ad featured Kumar advising Nandu, played by Ajay Singh Pal, to stop smoking and use the savings for purchasing sanitary pads for his wife, aligning with themes from Kumar's film Pad Man. Moviegoers have memorized its lines, and some expressed sadness over its removal, while others humorously welcomed the change. The new anti-smoking ad is now being shown in recently released films like Alia Bhatt's Jigra and Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video, both containing smoking scenes.