Smoking, though its injurious to health has been often used in movies to showcase the characters’ intensity. However, these portrayals can sometimes influence real-life behaviour, impacting both audiences and actors. Bollywood star turned politician Shatrughan Sinha recently opened up about how his smoking style may have influenced others including Tamil superstar Rajinikanth, during an interview with Lehren Retro. Shatrughan candidly admitted his guilt about being one of the reasons to Rajinikanth’s smoking habit.
Shatrughan Sinha’s Style and Its Impact
Shatrughan Sinha’s unique on-screen style, such as flipping cigarettes and puffing them effortlessly, became iconic over time. During the interview, he revealed that he was inspired by veteran actors like Raj Kapoor and others, who often did it in their films. But looking back, Shatrughan expressed regret over the unintended consequences of his style.
Talking about his influence, he said, “Rajinikanth, who is a great personality, and maybe many others, might have started smoking or adopted the habit because of me. My style might have inspired them, and for that, I feel guilty.”
Rajinikanth belovedly called as Thalaivar, adopted several of Shatrughan Sinha’s mannerisms including his signature cigarette flip and more, in his Tamil films. This style became a key part of Rajinikanth’s persona, earning him admiration across the country for showcasing unique swag on big screens.
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Shatrughan also spoke about his journey of quitting smoking to prioritize his health. Reflecting on his past habits, he acknowledged the negative impact smoking can have. Today, as an advocate for anti-tobacco campaigns, he is committed to promoting healthier lifestyles. Khamosh! actor noted that he did make mistakes but he has learned from them and also strictly urged audience to stop doing what’s not right for one’s health including family and also urged his colleagues on how it’s important to set the right example for others as an influential figures.
Warm & loving birthday wishes for a very dear old friend @rajinikanth…..'birds of a feather flock together'. It was a great gesture on his part to have called me his Guru, in my most popular & talked about biography 'Anything but Khamosh'. I'm very touched, but on a lighter pic.twitter.com/uII2siW4c6
— Shatrughan Sinha (@ShatruganSinha) December 12, 2020
Why Rajinikanth Didn’t Enter Politics?
When asked why Rajinikanth chose not to enter politics despite his immense nationwide influence, Shatrughan had a thoughtful reply. He explained that everyone has their own reasons and plans. Still, he emphasized the need for respected figures like Rajinikanth to join politics. “If good people don’t step into politics, the bad ones will take over,” he said, highlighting the importance of responsible leadership.
Shatrughan Sinha’s honest revelations offer insights into the influence of cinema and the responsibilities of public figures. His remarks about Rajinikanth’s smoking and the Tamil superstar’s choice to avoid politics provide a deeper understanding of their decisions. Catch the full interview to hear from the actor’s once in a lifetime interview and discover this engaging discussion in detail below.
