Alia Bhatt trolled over anti-drugs video as NCB forced to shut comments

Bollywood actor Alia Bhatt featured in a short video released by the Narcotics Control Bureau’s Chandigarh division, urging viewers to “say yes to life and no to drugs” and take an e-pledge toward a drug-free India.

The campaign clip, shared on NCB's official X handle, quickly went viral garnering over 1.1 million views and more than 680 reposts.

However, public reaction was overwhelmingly critical. Within hours, netizens flooded the responses with mean-spirited comments, questioning the credibility of using Bollywood celebrities for such a sensitive message. Remarks like “Bollywood spreading drug awareness” and cynically asking “Who’s even speaking?” dominated the thread.

In response, the NCB disabled comments on this specific post after just six negative responses, though commenting remained enabled on other posts.

Many critics took to quote-tweeting rather than commenting. One user mocked the idea of pledges, asking, “When has a pledge ever stopped anyone from doing drugs?”

Another mocked Alia’s close social circle, suggesting irony in her role. Some even dragged in her personal life, referencing her husband Ranbir Kapoor.

Such backlash highlights the gap between intention and reception when celebrities are engaged in public service campaigns. While Alia Bhatt’s message was framed as part of a broader NCB awareness drive, the viral reactions undercut its intended purpose prompting the agency to disable public commentary.

Nevertheless, the video received wide visibility, and Alia remains in the spotlight with upcoming projects like "Alpha" (YRF), Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s "Love & War," and "Brahmastra: Part Two – Dev."