Khan Amends His Earlier Comments, but Defends Smoking on Reel

shahrukh_khan_smokingNew Delhi: Amending his earlier comments, Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan on Saturday said that he was very impressed with the Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss’ concerns about the public health, when the minister had advised him not to smoke in public.

Commenting on the minister’s advice, in an interview earlier, Shah Rukh Khan had said that he did not like anyone telling him what to do and what not to.

In an interview to a private news channel, Khan had said, "I do not endorse smoking and I do not like anyone telling me personally what to do and what not to do.”

But now, taking U-Turn, Khan said to reporters, “It is just a misinterpretation that I have snubbed the Health Minister. I am very impressed with the fact that he wants me not to smoke. Even, I too want to quit smoking in my real life (not reel life).”

However, Khan defended smoking scenes on the screen. the actor contended that the depiction of such habits are just a part of the characters.

He said, “I want to tell on behalf of every actor, director and producer that anything negative in movies like, fighting, firing, smoking, drinking and rapes are not for their glorification, but they are a part of characters. Films can't be all about good things or god and goddess.”

Advocating his stance, Khan said, "There should not be a blanket ban on anything. But yes you have to be responsible about what you show in your films. And I can say with pride that with 17 years and 60 films I have been one of the most responsible actor as far as what kind of the entertainment I am giving to the country."