ANBU MANI RAMADOSS INTERVIEW : KARAN THAPAR CORNERS THE MINISTER

Does the Government have a duty to discourage smoking? And if so, then how effectively is the Government doing it? That’s the key issue Karan Thapar discusses with Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss on Devil’s Advocate.


Ramadoss said Shah Rukh Khan should not have smoked in the stands while watching a cricket match in Mumbai. He also said that Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan could learn a thing or two from superstar Rajinikant regarding smoking onscreen.


Excerpts from the interview:


Karan Thapar: Given the confusion over the Government’s position on smoking let me perhaps begin by knowing your position on the subject. Do you believe the Government has the duty to discourage smoking?


Anbumani Ramadoss: When I said movies should not have smoking scenes we have statistics which show that 52 per cent of children have their first puff because of movie celebrities.


Karan Thapar: Do you think Shah Rukh Khan should have smoked at a cricket match?


Anbumani Ramadoss: Absolutely not. What was the necessity?


Karan Thapar: If Rajinikant can agree not to smoke in his movies do you think Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan should make a similar commitment?


Anbumani Ramadoss: Easily they could do it. Without a doubt…


Karan Thapar: Rajinikant said that he did it because you made a personal appeal to him, would you make a similar personal appeal...


Anbumani Ramadoss: I have already made appeals to Shah Rukh Khan and others. But I would be happy to do it again and through you and CNN-IBN, I again say: Please don't smoke in your movies Mr Shah Rukh Khan.


Watch the full interview with Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss on Devil's Advocate at 2030 hours IST on Sunday. You can also read the full transcript of the interview on IBNLive.com