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He didn’t smoke it

3/10/2006

INDIAN health minister Anbumani is upset with Bollywood because its films are apparently showing too much smoking!

His ire was recently directed at the promos of the much-awaited 'Don' in which superstar Shah Rukh Khan toys agonisingly with a cigarette.

Now movie bosses have been warned that all films showing characters who smoke would bag an 'A' [Adults] certificate.

Director of 'Don,' Farhan Akhtar said the industry is quite amused at the statement and said it was a case of much ado about nothing.

Akhtar is even more amused because in 'Don', Shah Rukh's character has actually been established as a non-smoker!

He said: "I am surprised about the controversy because it far from applies to 'Don'.

"Too much has been made of it.

"Why would I glamourise smoking on screen and make it look like a heroic stunt?

"In the film, Shah Rukh holds an unlit cigarette in his hand and is trying hard to quit. In fact, I have known many people who are struggling to quit smoking doing just that.

"I thought it would be an interesting trait to incorporate into Shah Rukh's character in 'Don'."

Reacting to why 'Don' has been targeted, he said, "Obviously, people are all waiting to see the film. Furthermore, Shah Rukh is a huge star and it may have been thought that he would sub-consciously influence impressionable minds.

"But the way to curb smoking is to ban it in public places and increase cigarette prices, not prevent characters in films from smoking!"
'Don' is this year's most eagerly awaited Bollywood film.

The music, just out in the market, is already at number one in the charts.

Said Akhtar: "Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy have created a very young and modern sound with a mild retro element, which harks back to the 1970s. They have achieved something special and the response has been heartening."

Commenting on his decision to re-make the old Amitabh Bachchan classic, he added: "I have grown up on 'Don'. I think most of us have.

"I loved its narrative, its characters and its music. I was very excited about making a contemporary 'Don', merely as a tribute to the film which I have enjoyed in my childhood years.

"While retaining the essence of the old version, I have given it my own touch and perspective."