Shahrukh impressed with Ramadoss but defends smoking scenes

New Delhi (PTI): Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan on Saturday made a U-turn from his earlier comments on Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss who had advised him not to smoke in public saying he was impressed with the latter's concerns about the public health.

"It is just a misinterpretation that I have snubbed the Health Minister. I am very impressed with the fact that he wants me not to smoke. Even, I too want to quit smoking in my real life (not reel life)," Khan told reporters here.

The Superstar had recently said in an interview that he did not like anyone telling him what to do and what not to.

"I do not endorse smoking and I do not like anyone telling me personally what to do and what not to do," Khan said in an interview to a private news channel.

Defending smoking scenes on the screen, the actor contended that the depiction of such habits are just a part of the characters.

"I want to tell on behalf of every actor, director and producer that anything negative in movies like, fighting, firing, smoking, drinking and rapes are not for their glorification, but they are a part of characters. Films can't be all about good things or god and goddess," he said.

The actor advocated, "There should not be a blanket ban on anything. But yes you have to be responsible about what you show in your films. And I can say with pride that with 17 years and 60 films I have been one of the most responsible actor as far as what kind of the entertainment I am giving to the country."

The Hindu

SRK at Balaji Awards Nite

Bollywood badshah Shah Rukh Khan was there and so was Kareena Kapoor, looking gorgeous in a slinky red sari and backless blouse, with current boyfriend Saif Ali Khan in tow at Balaji Telefilm's gala television awards function.

The Future Group Global Indian TV Honours event on Friday night at the Andheri Sports Complex, in northwest Mumbai, also had Lara Dutta, Suniel Shetty and Karan Johar adding to the Bollywood presence.

Shah Rukh came to the function not because he had begun his acting career on television. He came as a Bollywood superstar and proved it when he presented an inimitable act at the function.

Balaji honoured him for being the best anchor in the quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 3.

Siddharth Basu, who put together the show for Star Plus, announced at the function that Shah Rukh would again host the show that is to be telecast soon.

While Lara Dutta came to perform at the show, Suneil Shetty conferred the Global India TV Honour to Karan Johar, whose chat show Koffee With Karan (Season 2) was adjudged as the Best Talk Show of 2007.

Karan and Ekta Kapoor, the owner of Balaji Telefilms Ltd, broke into an impromptu jig on the stage together. Later, both did a short spoof on Koffee With Karan when Ekta interviewed him.

"What will be the title if he ever made a serial on Kabhie Khushi Kabhi Gham with Shah Rukh Khan heading the cast?" Ekta asked. Karan replied: Kabhi Saas, Kabhi Devdas.

The next question: "If you roped in all the Khans of Bollywood for a serial, what title will you give to it? "Khan-Dan", Karan quipped.

Bollywood's star turnout was also the biggest at Ekta's show. Most of them were called up on stage to confer the honours, unlike in other television award functions where TV artistes hand over awards to one another.

The Bollywood touch added glamour to her show and made it all the more alluring.

Perhaps, the head honcho of Balaji Telefilms planned it that way. Otherwise why would she choose to confer an honour on Kareena Kapoor at a television function.

Kareena's tantalising presence in red sari and backless blouse as she sashayed to the stage to accept the award from Jeetendra and Raakesh Roshan fetched loud cheers. Boyfriend Saif Ali Khan was there among the audience cheering lustily.

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