The first look of Vijay's upcoming film with AR Murugadoss was released on Thursday. Titled Sarkar, the first poster which was launched shows a stylish Vijay with a cigarette in his mouth.
While the poster sent fans into a paroxysm of delight, it drew flak from Dr Anbumani Ramadoss, MP and former Union Health Minister.
Anbumani Ramadoss took to Twitter to slam Vijay for allegedly promoting smoking through the poster. Stating that he would have looked more stylish without the cigarette, the former Health Minister tweeted "Shame on Actor Vijay for promoting Smoking in the first look of his next movie". He added the hashtags #ActResponsibly and #DoNotPromoteSmoking as well.
You’ll look more stylish without that cigarette.#SmokingKills #SmokingCausesCancer pic.twitter.com/UUvzgrffHN
— Dr ANBUMANI RAMADOSS (@draramadoss) June 21, 2018
Anbumani Ramadoss also tweeted an old newspaper clipping which has Vijay stating that he will not smoke in his films, on the request of the former who was then the Health Minister.
Shame on Actor Vijay for promoting Smoking in this first look of his next movie.#ActResponsibly #DoNotPromoteSmoking
— Dr ANBUMANI RAMADOSS (@draramadoss) June 21, 2018
— Dr ANBUMANI RAMADOSS (@draramadoss) June 21, 2018
Vijay isn't the only actor to have faced criticism for glorifying smoking in his films. In 2002, the PMK's founder, S Ramadoss, Anbumani's father, had criticised industry bigwig Rajinikanth for making the cigarette a style statement. Ahead of the release of Baba, S Ramadoss had accused Rajinikanth of "misguiding" the youth at a party meeting in Poompuhar. His words had incensed Rajini fans and the actor had even said that he may take legal action against S Ramadoss for his comments. PMK workers caused disruptions in theatres where Baba was being screened and violence erupted in parts of Tamil Nadu between them and Rajini fans.
Questions were raised on whether the PMK was truly concerned about public health or if the campaign was to tarnish Rajini's image, considering the actor may step into politics. However, since then, the PMK has gone after other actors who've smoked on screen, including Rajinikanth's son-in-law, Dhanush. Rajini later took a decision not to smoke on screen. He further made an appeal to his fans to not take up the habit, citing his poor health which he attributed to smoking.
In 2007, Anbumani Ramadoss urged Vijay to stop smoking on screen. The former Health Minister is credited with the ban on smoking in public spaces, the prominent warnings on cigarette packets and the smoking disclaimers/warnings that are issued in films. He also banned the consumption of gutka.
The former minister's comments have enraged some fans. Some have asked why Anbumani Ramadoss did not make objections when Vijay smoked in other films, including his last release Mersal and Thuppaki which had the actor smoking in one of the posters. They have accused Anbumani Ramadoss of raising objections only because Sarkar is being produced by Sun Pictures which is owned by Kalanidhi Maran.
Mr.Anbumani he has smoked in mersal too.wht don't you ask on that time
— கார்த்திக் தமிழன் (@kaarthick6cse) June 21, 2018
Nanba Thuppakki padathin first look pothum cigarette pudicharu.Apa kekavilayae ipothu en @sunpictures production enbathil agava Enamo.
— கார்த்திக் தமிழன் (@kaarthick6cse) June 21, 2018
For haters #HBDThalapathyVIJAY #Sarkar #Thalapathy62 #Thalapathy pic.twitter.com/WDYvKaGOS7
— Sat raina (@sat_raina) June 21, 2018
Vijay is yet to react to the controversy.