Aamir Khan speaks out against smoking ban in films

Aamir Khan has spoken out against the Indian Government's ban on smoking in films.

According to The Times of India, Khan argues that The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's recent policy on on-screen tobacco smoking - that it can only be shown with disclaimers in the beginning and middle of the film - will curtail the creative expression of filmmakers.

"I have never advocated smoking, which is why I have stayed away from doing tobacco advertisements," he said.

"However, it is unfortunate and unreasonable that we are asking for cigarette smoking to be justified in our cinema. If I make a historical film on Sir Winston Churchill, whose trademark was his cigar, then I can hardly disturb the frame with a disclaimer or a ticker saying 'smoking kills'.

"I am in favour of having a disclaimer at the beginning of a film where you warn the public about the perils of smoking. I don't even mind recording a separate clip saying how the use of tobacco/cigarettes is harmful. But I am not in favour of anyone interfering with the creative process of my film."

The 3 Idiots actor went on to offer his own detailed response to the Government's policy, saying: "My answer to the Government's directive on banning smoking on-screen or showing it with justifications in a film is a three-pronged one.

"One: if you show other illegal activities on screen, then don't attack only smoking. Two: don't attack my creative freedom. Three: don't take away the audience's right to enjoy cinema by imposing views/restrictions on them, especially when they could be watching a crucial scene. How can you do that?"