Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt is facing severe trolling and criticism after starring in an anti-drug awareness video for the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Chandigarh. The video, released on social media on August 14, 2025, intended to spread the message of a drug-free India, sparked controversy online. Instead of praise, many users reacted sharply, dredging up old videos and incidents involving Alia, her husband Ranbir Kapoor, and other Bollywood personalities.
Due to the overwhelming negative response, the NCB decided to disable comments on the post. Despite this, users continue to share the video widely, often accompanied by sarcastic or critical remarks.
Content of the awareness video
In the video, Alia Bhatt addresses the camera in Hindi: “Namaskar saathiyo, main hun Alia Bhatt. Today I want to talk to you about a very serious issue of drug addiction and how it’s becoming a threat to our life, society, and nation. Support the Narcotics Control Bureau in this special campaign against drugs. Say yes to life and no to drugs.”
She encouraged viewers to take an e-pledge against drugs by scanning a QR code or visiting a provided link, urging people to join the NCB’s efforts for a #DrugsFreeBharat, #NashaMuktBharat, and #AzadiFromDrugs campaign.
Social Media backlash and hypocrisy allegations
Despite the serious message, many criticized the campaign’s approach, questioning the effectiveness of such pledges. One viewer tweeted, “Like why do they keep making us take pledges? When has a pledge ever worked? If someone offers me drugs, I am not going to be like but I promised Alia Bhatt.”
Other trolls targeted Alia’s associations, sharing old videos of Bollywood parties featuring not only her husband Ranbir Kapoor but also other industry stars like Deepika Padukone, Vicky Kaushal, and Varun Dhawan. Comments mocked the campaign with lines such as, “Alia Bhatt supports NCB to spread awareness about drug addiction, meanwhile her friends,” and “Haan chor ko hi chowkidari pe laga diya,” implying hypocrisy.
An old interview resurfaced in which Ranbir Kapoor admitted to smoking weed while shooting the 2011 film Rockstar. Such posts fueled the narrative that some Bollywood insiders contradict the anti-drug message publicly promoted.
Bollywood and drug investigations
The controversy arises in a backdrop of intense scrutiny of the film industry by the Narcotics Control Bureau. Since the tragic death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput in 2020, the NCB launched probes into drug use and distribution within Bollywood. High-profile actors including Deepika Padukone, Sara Ali Khan, and Shraddha Kapoor were questioned as part of the investigations.
In 2021, Aryan Khan, son of Shah Rukh Khan, was arrested during a drug-related raid on a cruise ship but was eventually cleared of any charges in 2022 after no drugs were found on him.
NCB’s move to control the backlash
Recognizing the public relations challenge, the NCB disabled comments on Alia Bhatt’s awareness video to curb the flood of negative and sarcastic remarks. Despite that, the debate continues to rage online, reflecting wider societal tensions about drug use, celebrity culture, and the role of public messaging.
While the campaign aims to promote a drug-free India, the backlash highlights the difficulties in changing perceptions when public figures associated with the message have links themselves, perceived or real, to the issue.
Alia Bhatt’s campaign with the NCB stressesboth the need and challenge of addressing drug addiction in India. Public skepticism, fueled by past controversies in Bollywood, has made such awareness efforts especially contentious. The NCB’s decision to disable comments signals the sensitivity surrounding the issue and the balancing act required when public figures champion social causes.
Representatives for Braxton have not yet provided additional details about the incidentInstagram/ tamarbraxton
