"We are not targeting SRK"

Goa-based cancer surgeon says he has an ongoing case against Amitabh Bachchan as well.

Dr. Shekhar Salkar, attached to the Manipal Goa Hospital and secretary of the non-governmental organization, National Organisation for Tobacco Eradication (NOTE), believes in putting his foot on celebrity posteriors, saying if kicking famous butts makes him publicity-crazy then so be it.

The cancer surgeon from the land of sun, sand, sea and surf has slapped a legal notice on Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan for smoking in public during two recent events — the Twenty20 cricket match in Mumbai, where India beat Australia at the Wankhede Stadium and the recent Hindustan Times Summit in Delhi. Dr Salkar believes it is time to stuff those who puff.

Dr Salkar said over telephone from Panaji (Goa), “Yes, NOTE has sent the legal notice on Friday through advocate Vilas Thaly.

Are you taking on this star for publicity?
Yes, I am doing this for publicity. It is because of Shah Rukh that you have approached me and are writing about it. If my being publicity-crazy spreads the message that idols cannot smoke in public as that means propagating smoking, I am happy to be publicity crazy.

Many celebrities smoke in public; why are you targeting SRK?
We are not targeting SRK. We also have an ongoing case against Amitabh Bachchan as he is seen holding a cigar in some movie posters. That case is still on. These people have so much money that they are giving me a real runaround. Anyway, that is all right. All these fellows need to be punished. SRK has 15 days to reply to the legal notice.

There is a flipside. Celebrities can have a great positive impact on society too.
Yes, they can. For instance, when Amitabh Bachchan did the public awareness campaign for pulse polio it raised awareness tremendously. In fact, I advocate the film No Smoking as it gives a positive message towards the end: do not smoke, it says.

SRK can do what he wants outside films, after all stars have a life too…
Stars can do what they want in private. They can go to hell if they want to in private. Wankhede stadium and the hotel where the summit was held were public places. SRK’s smoking there meant this was affecting others around him. They became passive smokers.

Does seeing stars smoke really influence people?
Definitely. Companies are not crazy to spend crores to get these stars to endorse their products. When stars say buy a TV brand, people buy it.

Shah Rukh is not telling people to smoke.
He does not have to say anything. People, especially college kids, get swayed by his actions and follow him. Why do people try to imitate his walk, his hairstyle? Did he tell them to do so? Now, youngsters walk around with their shirts open, trying to flaunt their abs, like SRK does in some movie. That is the influence the stars have on youth.

What do you suggest celebrities do?
SRK and all so-called creative people must visit the Tata Memorial Hospital and see the state of the oral cancer patients. That is what they should do.



Graphic details to kick in soon:

By December 2007, cigarette packs in India will be required to carry pictorial warnings covering up to 50 per cent of the display area on the box as per the Indian Tobacco Control Act 2003. Indications are that the pictures are designed for shock value, babies figure in these pictures with messages saying: ‘Your smoking can kill babies’. Statutory warnings will also run alongside the pictures.


What Bachchan did when he was sued:

Amitabh Bachchan wrote a letter of apology to NOTE after they sued him over a poster that showed him smoking a cigar. Dr Salkar was then quoted as saying that while he appreciated Bachchan’s response, he was going to go ahead and make him party to the case any way because without him, there would be no case. Sunday MiD DAY reproduces portions of Bachchan’s letter that appeared in the media at the time:

“I am deeply apologetic of the advertisement that has hurt the sentiments of the people at large and organisations such as yours…
“The publicity banner carrying my photograph was a still from my film Family in which I am portraying the character of an underworld don…
“While I was not instrumental in designing the publicity campaign, I find from the photograph of the billboard stated to be put out on NH 17 in Goa, that the manufacturers of Anchor Electric switches are seeking to promote their own products. Neither A B Corp Limited nor I have promoted Anchor products or tobacco products…

“I have made a note of anti-tobacco legislation and informed my producers and told them to take immediate steps so that no such violation takes place as far as I am concerned...

“I am a teetotaler, I do not drink nor smoke and I have not indulged in these activities for almost 30 years, and have no intentions of indulging in them in the future.

Hemal Ashar, Mid-Day