So says Anbumani Ramadoss, the Indian Minister of Health, responding to the rising numbers of child smokers in India. He insists that it's time the Bollywood industry realised it's role in these numbers, especially big stars who light up on screen on a regular basis.
Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, he's talking to you! Shah Rukh has long been a notorious chain-smoker, frequently caught with a cigarette in his mouth (now you know why he doesn't kiss in his movies) and both him and Amitabh have been told off by the National Organisation for Tobacco Eradication (NOTE) for smoking at public events.
Ramadoss tells the Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Gham stars to please step out of their bubbles of wealth to see what consequences their puffing has on impressionable minds.
“I would like to make an appeal not only to Mr Shah Rukh Khan but also to Amitabh Bachchan and to all the other personalities. Children are being affected,”
“There shouldn't be any smoking scenes in movies because we have statistics showing that 52 per cent of children have their first puff of a cigarette due to movie celebrities.”
Did I mention that Shah Rukh doesn't like being criticized? He quickly retorted that stopping him from smoking amounted to censorship and he wouldn't put up with it. Charming.
I think all those steroids (from his quest for a six-pack) totally messed with his brain. On occasion, he pretends to be responsible and insists,
“Every time I'm in front of a television channel I always say: 'Children, don't smoke. It kills you' ... It's the worst habit and I want to give it up.”
And then he lights up another one. I'm sure there's some irony in the fact that he's the host of the Indian Are you Smarter than a 5th Grader.
lol
the last part made me laugh
Posted by: bloggy | April 12, 2008 at 04:44 PM