CHENNAI: Almost a decade after Tamil cinema’s super star Rajinikanth faced the ire of the PMK for smoking in his film Baba, the actor’s son-in-law Dhanush is facing similar condemnations from PMK youth wing leader Anbumani Ramadoss for such scenes in the recently released Maari.
In an open letter to the actor, the PMK’s Chief Ministerial candidate Anbumani Ramadoss alleged that the scenes in the film were not accidental and charged that cigarette companies were using cinema to advertise their product illegally. Scenes advertising smoking were being imposed in cinema after receiving money for the purpose, he alleged.
Anbumani advised Dhanush to follow the example of his father-in-law Rajinikanth who had announced that he would not act in smoking scenes.
>>Movie Review: 'Maari' Review: Dhanush Saves a Very Ordinary Film
All the leading actors like Kamal Haasan, Vijay, Surya and Vikram had vowed not to act in such scenes, the PMK youth wing leader said and added that Dhanush should also make an announcement declaring that he would not act such scenes.
Expressing shock at several scenes depicting Dhanush indulging in smoking, Anbumani said as the actor has numerous young fans, the scenes could influence them and turn them into addicts for smoking.
Quoting medical research journal, he said 52 per cent of people turn to smoking after watching films.
The World Health Organisation had declared that 50 per cent of smokers face a painful death early in life and fans of Dhanush could find a place in the list, he said. Tobacco is the biggest evil killing the highest number of people in the world, Anbumani pointed out.