Amitabh Bachchan has apologised to an anti-tobacco group for appearing in an advertisement showing him smoking a cigar.

'I am deeply apologetic of the advertisement that has hurt the sentiments of the people at large and organisations such as yours,' Bachchan said in a letter to Shekhar Salkar, general secretary, the National Organisation for Tobacco Eradication.

'The publicity banner carrying my photograph was a still from my film, Family, in which I play an underworld don,' the Big B [Images] wrote.

'While I was not instrumental in designing the publicity campaign, I find from the photograph of the billboard stated to be put out on NH 17 in Goa [Images], that the manufacturers of Anchor electric switches are seeking to promote their own product. Neither AB Corp Limited nor I have promoted Anchor products or tobacco products. I have made a note of anti-tobacco legislation and informed my producers and told them to take immediate steps so that no such violation takes place as far as I am concerned.'

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NOTE had issued legal notice to Bachchan on January 5 for violating the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003, with the Family banner.

'I do not drink nor smoke. I have not indulged in these activities for almost 30 years, and have no intentions of indulging in them in future. Anchor appears to haven taken undue liberty while using the still from the film carrying my image. It appears that DMS Films Pvt Limited, the co-producers who are exclusively handling the publicity of the film, have entered into some arrangements with Anchor to share publicity costs,' Bachchan further clarified.

"I am happy that Bachchan has personally replied to our letter but we want this fight to be taken to the logical end," Salkar said.

"We will wait for the legal reply from him till Monday, failing which we will file a writ petition in the high court against Anchor company, DMS Films, A B Corp LTD, Amitabh Bachchan [Images] and the Goa government," Salkar said.

"We are satisfied with Bachchan's reply but we want his support to nail down rest of the people involved in it."