'End of an era,' say fans as CBFC discontinues Akshay Kumar's anti-smoking ad in theatres after 6 years

"Herogiri phu phu karne mein nahi hai." Who doesn't remember this iconic line from Akshay Kumar's anti-smoking advertisement displayed in theatres? The ad, featuring Nandu, won't be played in cinemas anymore. The Censor Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has decided to stop showing it and replace it with a new one.

CBFC discontinues Akshay Kumar's anti-smoking ad

For those who don't know, this ad was mandatory to be shown before Hindi movies in theatres and had been running for over six years. The decision to replace it was made in September 2024, and the new ad is now playing before recently released films like Alia Bhatt's Jigra and Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video, starring Rajkummar Rao and Triptii Dimri, which both include smoking scenes.

This piece of news has invoked a sense of nostalgia among fans.

Nandu bids good-bye.

CBFC discontinues Akshay Kumar¡¯s anti-smoking ad after more than 6 years - BollyHungama#AkshayKumar #Nandu pic.twitter.com/3o1C586YXZ

¡ª $@M (@SAMTHEBESTEST_) October 15, 2024

"END OF AN ERA! #CBFC discontinues #AkshayKumar ANTI-SMOKING advertisement after 6 years", one of the fans wrote. Another one added, "End of an era indeed! After six years, it looks like Akshay Kumar¡¯s anti-smoking ad will be taking a final bow. It¡¯s been a powerful message against smoking, and let¡¯s hope the impact lingers long after the ad fades. Here¡¯s to hoping the next campaign is just as impactful¡ªafter all, we can always use more reminders to kick the habit."

"Thank God pak gaya tha dekh dekh kar ab finally aajadi mil gayi ( Thank God, I was fed up of watching it over and over, now finally got freedom from it)," joked another fan.

END OF AN ERA !! ?#CBFC discontinues #AkshayKumar ANTI-SMOKING advertisement after 6 years !! pic.twitter.com/bcQNq20aBa

¡ª CineHub (@Its_CineHub) October 15, 2024

Did you know Ajay Pal who play Nandu in the anti-smoking advertisement smokes in real life?

Credit: YouTube

Ajay Pal had himself confessed, "(I smoke) Very, very occasionally, with close friends, over jaam. I will never do it in public." Did you know Ajay was in Akshay Kumar's Padman? That is where he was spotted and cast for this advertisement. He played a small role of an extra in the 2018 movie. His character sells cotton to Akshay's character. Ajay was also a part of Akshay's 2023 film Selfie and recently released movie Stree 2.

Anti-smoking ads and Gutka Mukesh

The anti-smoking ads were made compulsory to be shown in theatres for films that featured smoking scenes by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in 2012. As per the guidelines, these advertisements were shown before the start of the film and also after the interval. The first ad featured Mukesh Harane aka Gutka Mukesh, who passed away at a young age from cancer related to tobacco use. The resident of Maharashtra passed away in 2009. Hewas undergoing treatment for cancer in a hospital in Mumbai when the advertisement was shot. He shared his journey for the tobacco awareness program.