1 Million Views, Countless Trolls: NCB’s Alia Clip Backfires
An anti-drug pledge campaign meant to raise awareness turned controversial with critics calling her an “unfit choice” for the campaign
A recent awareness video released by the Narcotics Control Bureau’s Chandigarh division has stirred controversy, not for its message but for its messenger.
The clip, featuring Bollywood star Alia Bhatt urging citizens to take an e-pledge for a “drug-free Bharat,” went viral on X — but quickly drew a wave of trolling, with many users questioning her credibility as the face of the campaign.
In the video, the Jigra actress addresses viewers directly: “Hello friends, I am Alia Bhatt. Today I want to talk about a very serious issue of drug addiction and how it’s becoming a threat to our lives, society, and nation. Support the Narcotics Control Bureau in this special campaign against drugs. Say yes to life and no to drugs. You can take an e-pledge against drugs by visiting the link given below or by scanning the QR code, and you can definitely join the NCB. Jai Hind.”
Shared on NCB’s official handle, the post racked up over 680 reposts and 1.1 million views in no time. But while the campaign sought to spread awareness, the response online was divided — with harsh comments pouring in about Bhatt being “an odd choice” to champion the cause.
