There has been a lot of outrage against Vijay ever since the poster of Sarkar, showing the actor with a cigarette, came out. While there is a PIL against Vijay and the film’s director AR Murugadoss, support has been pouring in from within the film industry. Silambarasan said that he wants to debate the issue with “Anbumani uncle” (Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss), while Moodar Koodam director Naveen said that such posters are not the cause for tobacco addiction.
The actor, in conversation with Silverscreen, said that he was concerned about the state of affairs. “I don’t think so much fuss should be made about every film poster that shows something. Take for example the Sarkar poster. There’s so much news about it, and not all of it is flattering. If the artists don’t unite for such issues, then they will try to regulate us. Art cannot thrive in a strict forum,” he said.
STR is of the opinion that his comments may get misconstrued if he talks about it on social media. “I am inviting Anbumani uncle for a debate,” he said.
Whether the former Health Minister takes him up is another story altogether.
Meanwhile, Moodar Koodam Naveen says that the common man is smart enough to make his own decisions, and won’t necessarily be influenced by what they see on-screen.
“We have to start respecting the common man’s maturity level and intellect. He’s smart enough to make his own decisions. He is not a fool, and he won’t start smoking after watching a star do it. Alcohol came into existence before art did. And why target one star?” Naveen said.
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T Rajender too has a similar opinion. At a recent press meet, the actor said that cinema is a reflection of the society we live in. “It is not the other way around. We have disclaimers for smoking and drinking in our films now. So people are warned beforehand about the effects of smoking. If Vijay or Ajith are seen smoking in front of impressionable youngsters then I myself will go and question them. When this is not the case, I don’t understand the reason for so much fuss.”
The poster has been pulled down by the movie team following widespread criticism. The Tamil Nadu Public Health Department sent a legal notice to the Sarkar team recently. A social activist also filed a Public Interest Litigation against the team for promoting smoking. However, it was politician Anbumani Ramadoss who began it all. Sometime after the poster released on June 22, Anbumani tweeted that the actor would look more stylish without a cigarette.
Read: ‘Sarkar’ Poster: Anbumani Ramadoss’ Fight Against Smoking In Films