Telugu cinema has recently seen a surge in depicting smoking as a sign of heroism. Many star heroes are frequently shown smoking in their movies making it appear as a stylish and heroic act. This trend is becoming more common with the portrayal of characters using cigarettes to enhance their on-screen persona.
The trailer poster of the newly released movie “Mr. Bachan” shows Ravi Teja smoking a cigar. This is not an isolated instance. From legendary actors like Chiranjeevi to modern-day stars like Mahesh Babu smoking on screen has become a common sight. This portrayal suggests that smoking is synonymous with being a hero influencing the audience’s perception of smoking.
However, not all directors follow this trend. Filmmakers like Sekhar Kammula avoid portraying their heroes as smokers choosing to depict heroism in other ways. Yet, such directors are few and far between as the majority continue to use smoking as a tool to define their characters’ toughness and style.
The impact of this trend on society especially the youth is concerning. Movies have a significant influence on their audience and when heroes are seen smoking, it sends a message that smoking is a desirable trait. This can lead to imitation with young people picking up smoking in an attempt to emulate their on-screen idols.
While Telugu movies do include warnings that “smoking is injurious to health” at the beginning, these warnings are often overshadowed by the persistent imagery of heroes smoking throughout the film. The disclaimer is easily forgotten when viewers are repeatedly exposed to scenes where smoking is glamorized.
This trend of showcasing smoking as heroic can have far-reaching effects. It normalizes smoking, making it seem like a regular and acceptable behavior. This is particularly dangerous for impressionable youth who are looking for role models. They may begin to associate smoking with strength, bravery, and style, leading to an increase in smoking rates among young people.
The responsibility lies with the filmmakers and actors to reconsider how they portray smoking. While it may add a certain “cool” factor to their characters, the potential harm it causes to society is substantial. Directors and actors should be mindful of the influence they wield and strive to depict heroism through positive traits rather than harmful habits.
