Professional Report - Smoke Free Movies

Yes it is there that is why I was hesitant to smoke in Raja Hindustani. But ultimately I caved in and had to do it.
But yes there are stereotypes. For instance if you are a negative character and if you smoke, there is no
harm.They will not show the heroine of the film smoking, unless the characterization demands it. For instance
in the film Purab Aur Paschim they showed Saira Banu smoking only as long as she played the Westernised
woman’s part. When she became “Indianised” they never showed her smoking! Vamps and negative
characters are shown smoking, but never the typical Indian heroine.
Why did you give up smoking?
Because of my kids. I gave up both the time I conceived. During my pregnancy I never smoked. But since I
don’t drink and don’t eat non-vegetarian food, I always thought that I had the luxury of at least having one vice
in my life—that was smoking.But when that vice kind of started affecting my kids—one if four years old and the
other is seven—when I realized that I need to give them a smoke free environment, I gave up. At this
impressionable age if they find their parents smoking it is probably going to influence them to pick up the habit
later. I have to rule by example.So in a way I am bribing my son not to smoke by promising him a Ferrari or any
car of his choice when he is 21.In a way when I ask him to do these things I have to set an example. That is
why I have given up smoking.
Thank you.
Milind Soman
Does Bollywood glamorise smoking?
No I don’t think. As a matter of fact, when you see a lead actor smoking you are presenting a point where a
good guy , in this case the hero, would do. But it is not overtly done. However, by having the good guy smoke
you give it a glamorous image.
Do you think what is done on screen has an effect on youngsters?
Yes definitely. Most of the them who watch films obviously regard actors as their idols and they want to
emulate them as much as they can.They see them as ideals, what they could be or should be, so they would
definitely get influenced.
Is smoking on screen a part of the script, a suggestion by the director or the actor’s own interpretation of the
role?
I don’t think anybody even bothers to look at it that much.If they feel that it might help some scene for the actor
to smoke—if it helps in making him look more relaxed, more macho or just to give some kind of business or if
he is in an atmosphere that lends itself to smoking like in a bar or a nightclub, then they do it.
Is smoking within the fraternity for example on the sets, or amongst female actors on the increase? Or is the
same like it was, say, four years ago?
I think it is the same at least in the circle that I move in.In fact it may be a little bit less because there is a small
movement towards anti-smoking!
Do you smoke?
Yes I do but I have never smoked on screen. And I wont smoke on screen unless I am playing a negative
character. Even while I was doing television I never smoked on screen. As a model I have never endorsed a
cigarette brand. So I don’t like to endorse tobacco in anyway.
Why?
Because I don’t like to encourage people to smoke. I think smoking is a health hazard and is a very, very
insidious killer. There is no point in encouraging it.
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