Actor Shah Rukh Khan on Saturday took a U-turn from his earlier comments on Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss, who had advised him not to smoke in his movies, saying he was impressed with the latter's concern about 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. I too want to quit smoking in real life (not reel life)," said Khan.
The superstar had recently said in an interview that he did not like anyone telling him what to do and what not to do.
"I do not endorse smoking and I do not like anyone telling me personally what to do and what not to do," Khan had said in an interview to a private news channel.
However, defending smoking scenes on the screen, the actor contended that the depiction of such habits is just a part of the character.
"I want to tell you 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," he said.
The actor argued, "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 actors, in terms of the kind of entertainment I am giving to the country."
Ramadoss had, earlier this week, said that Khan should not have smoked in the stands while watching a cricket match in Mumbai and that he and Amitabh Bachchan should learn a thing or two from superstar Rajinikant regarding smoking on screen.
Khan, 42, has earned the ire of anti-smoking groups on different occasions for lighting up in public, in violation of a 2004 ban.
In October, the National Organisation for Tobacco Eradication slapped a legal notice on him, asking him to explain his actions after he was spotted smoking at a cricket match and at a media conference.