Shah Rukh Khan's smoking act

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan's smoking act during an Indian Premier League (IPL) match April 21 has not gone down well with the anti-smoking lobby which is trying to ensure that television footage of celebrities smoking should not be broadcast.The National Organisation for Tobacco Eradication (NOTE) said in a statement issued here Saturday that its counterpart South African National Council Against Smoking (NCAS) is lobbying with the official broadcasters to ensure that footage of smoking, especially by celebrities, should not be broadcast.

"We have sent the details to Supersport, who are the official broadcasters of the IPL and the NCAS is in the process of soliciting an agreement that they will not show anyone smoking," NCAS's convener Peter Ucko informed NOTE Friday.NCAS has said that television footage showing icons smoking dangerously increases the chances of children and other non smokers picking up the habit as they try to emulate their heroes.

NCAS, in its letter to NOTE, further said that while smoking in public places is still not banned in South Africa, the department of health there was very active in lobbying for the concept of no smoking in public places.

"If Khan does it again we will ask the management to caution him, or we will seek his removal from the stadium," the press note states.The NCAS has also assured that they would lobby with the chief executive officer of the Wandereres stadium Alam Kourie to enforce the 'no smoking in enclosed areas' law.

"We have also asked the stadium management to make no smoking announcements through the match and during drinks breaks."

Shahrukh Khan and Aamir Khan

Shahrukh Khan and Aamir Khan always involve in exchanging bitter words. They never leave any opportunity to throw tantrums on one another. But with their new move, we can conclude that enmity between the two is gradually fading down. No the two big Khans are not coming together for any new film but they have been roped by Coca Cola to endorse their product.

Pepsi had cut off ties with Shahrukh Khan, the product that he has been endorsing for years long due to his growing age. SRK had hit 40 and Pepsi found him unsuitable for their ad as their drink has a huge youth appeal.

Shahrukh Khan is not a man to sit silently and accept the insult. He gave a tight slap on Pepsi by tying up with Cola. After roping in Kolkata Knight 's star Saurav Ganguly and his team to endorse Sprite which is a Coke product, he has joined hand with Aamir for another ad.

The Cola has a big plan to launch their product in a big way with Shahrukh Khan and Aamir Khan.

Vashu Bhagnani is back in the film arena

After a 4-year gap, Vashu Bhagnani is back in the film arena with son Jackky's debut film Kal Kissne Dekha. Not many are aware that Vashu had signed Vivek Sharma much before Vivek directed Bhoothnath. "I wanted to entrust the responsibility of Jackky's debt film to someone who was talented and I could see the spark in Vivek when I interacted with him several years ago," Vashu tells me.

Vashu had also approached Gautam Menon [Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein] and even Ken Ghosh, but things didn't work out. "Vivek called one evening, he had hit upon a story-idea for Jackky's launch. That's how Kal Kissne Dekha took off," he recalls.

Having worked with seasoned actors like Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Anil Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Govinda and several others, how was it working with two newcomers [Jackky, Vaishali] this time? "Honestly, I was skeptical as far as the economics was concerned. But, as a father, I was supremely optimistic. Jackky showed tremendous discipline in his work. Also, he doesn't look like a first-timer at all," Vashu says proudly.

Rumours are rife about Shahrukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan featuring in cameos in the film, but Vashu denies it. "It's not true. Vivek did suggest that we include them in the film. But we haven't shot with them yet. If we do manage to shoot with them later, we will proudly announce it to the world. But, right now, they aren't part of Kal Kissne Dekha," Vashu clarifies.

Though the film's release has been postponed till a settlement is reached between the warring factions [producers/distributors versus multiplexes], the promotion of the film has begun on TV. "I have given in writing that I would stand by my brethren. I wouldn't release the film till the strike is called off. But I need to promote the songs since the music launch had already taken place before the industry went on strike. Yet, on their request, I have cut down on nearly 95% of the promotions."