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Salman Khan does it again.
No, he has not beaten or threatened anyone.
This time, he has gotten away with a white lie.
At a Cancer Patients Aid Association event on Thursday, Salman Khan said that people should give up all forms of tobacco as it is harmful and may cause death due to cancer.
To further their cause, film stars will play a charity match with doctors to raise funds on Saturday.
Some of the actors participating in the match are Suniel Shetty (captain), Arbaaz Khan, Sohail Khan, Riteish Deshmukh, Zayed Khan, Dino Morea, Rahul Dev, Ashmit Patel, Aman Verma, Boman Irani, Ashish Choudhary, Yash Tonk, Sajid Khan, Ravi Walia, Vicky Chopra and Cyrus Broacha.
Salman will not be a part of the team as he will be shooting.
"I am there for every cause that saves lives. Whatever money goes to the Cancer Patients Aid Association goes to the right people. So I am always there for them. One should not smoke as it causes harm to others as well. I think people smoke because they don't know what to do with their hands when they have free time in life. It is a bad habit," he says.
"Tobacco is harmful and injurious to health. I want to advise everyone that they should give up smoking. Your children and grandchildren need you. Don't use tobacco," he added.
But Salman was in for a rude shock when a journalist asked if he would quit smoking too.
"How do you know I smoke?" he asked.
The journalist replied that the actor had been seen smoking on numerous occasions, especially at the Lucky press conference.
Salman shot back angrily. "No. That was for a film shot. Smoking cigarette looks stylish but one must not go for it. In fact, the media should not publish such things."
In an attempt to cool the actor down, the journalist tried to change the subject. "Do you bowl, bat or field well?"
Salman shook his fist at the scribe and replied, "Fighting acchi karta hoon."
In the picture: Salman shares a laugh with Riteish Deshmukh. Inset: Salman caught in the act at an earlier press conference.
Text: Syed Firdaus Ashraf | Photographs: Pradeep Bandekar