Bachchan questions Health minister Ramadoss

New Delhi, Sun, 4 May 2008 NI Wire

After some session of reflection from Censor Board chief Sharmila Tagore to Health Minister Ambumani Ramadoss over his comment on on-screen drinking and smoking, now the Big B has come out in support of the film fraternity.


In his recent blog, the actor though appreciates the minister’s concern for the general health of public but on the other side ask him to respect films- as a medium of art form, which should be left aside to flourish with freedom.

 


Ramadoss’s constant comment on film actors for ‘promoting smoking and drinking’ on screen and his effort to place a ban on onscreen smoking/drinking has not received well by industry biggies.


The minister who recently unveiled the Alcohol Atlas of India asked film actors to avoid onscreen drinking saying, “I appeal to all of them not to promote alcohol. Alcohol can’t be justified as stress relievers as portrayed in films, drunken scenes have become a tool of humour in movies”.


Bachchan expressed: “we fake it on screen; our intoxication, Minister, is in the credibility we bring to a drunken scene without being literally drunk, not to propagate alcoholism.”


Asking the minister he adds, “Sir could we perhaps dare to inquire whether you, being in Governance have considered first, to ban this dreaded habit from all Government servants in the country.


“And more importantly would you ever, Sir, consider banning the existence of the vast plantations of the ‘beedi’ leaves in the States of Uttar and Madhya Pradesh, or would that not be such a correct political decision. After all such act would jeopardize the employment of thousands of worker’s (oop’s voters!),” Bachchan questions Ramadoss’s political obligations.


Big B wrote, “I applaud your concern Sir and applaud the choice of your example, in my dear friend and colleague, the other true King of Cinema, Rajnikanth, but honoured Sir could we perhaps dare to inquire whether you, being in Governance have considered first, to ban this dreaded habit from all Government servants in the country?”


The issue has no doubt gone far with comments and reaction over the ban on smoking and alcohol; however, mere a ban on onscreen presentation is to everybody’s knowledge not going to bring any solution to this problem; it is more an individual responsibility having all adequate information.



RELATED STORIES

Social bookmark this page



Post comment

Comment Details
1. I think the honorable Minister should be working overtime in dealing with THE most important problem AIDS.Particularly in his home state which is very alarmimg.The Indian scenario isn't rosy either.Whether Amitabh does it or Rajinikant, as long as it is sold there wll be buyers. AnanthKumar
2008-05-05

2. Sir, I think the honourable Minister just wants to be known that he was the one who banned smoking and drinking in films. Would he dare to ban it throughtout INDIA by everyone ? Gopalrao
2008-05-05