'Smoking got the wrong image of 'cool' & 'bold,' says Kundali Bhagya's Neel Samarthh on Anti-Tobacco day

On the occasion of Anti-Tobacco Day, Kundali Bhagya actor Neel Samarthh opened up about the deep-rooted perceptions around smoking and how it has come to be associated with being “cool” or “bold” in modern times. Reflecting on this troubling trend, he expressed concern about how the habit often starts among young people just to fit in or appear mature.

He said, “Somewhere down the line, smoking got this wrong image of being ‘cool’ or ‘bold.’ It’s quite sad, actually. A lot of young people pick up the habit just to feel included or to look grown-up. But honestly, there’s nothing cool about harming your body. Real confidence comes from how you carry yourself, not from what’s in your hand.''

He also spoke about the changing societal norms surrounding smoking, emphasising that earlier people used to smoke in private spaces, but now it has become public. According to him, this shift is largely due to the influence of films and social media, which have blurred the lines between private choices and public behaviour.

Somewhere down the line, smoking got this wrong image of being ‘cool’ or ‘bold.’ It’s quite sad, actually. A lot of young people pick up the habit just to feel included or to look grown-up. But honestly, there’s nothing cool about harming your body. Real confidence comes from how you carry yourself, not from what’s in your hand

- Neel Samarthh

He said, “Today, everything is out in the open. People are more expressive, less shy. But somewhere along the way, we stopped drawing a line. Smoking in public has become normal, and that’s dangerous because it sends a message that it's okay. And when young kids see that, they think it’s no big deal.”

And when it comes to portraying smoking on screen, he admits he feels uncomfortable with it. He said, “I understand that sometimes it’s needed for a character, but I always feel we need to be extra careful. As actors, we influence people, especially the younger audience. So if I ever do a scene like that, I try to be very mindful of the message it sends.”

When smoking scenes appear on the screen, the health warning message too comes with it, but Neel believes they are not enough. He said, “Just showing a line on screen while someone is smoking doesn’t stop someone from picking up the habit. We need stronger storytelling that shows the real impact of how it ruins health, relationships, and even careers. The warning alone doesn’t really touch people emotionally.”

Neel also shared his opinion on the effectiveness of tobacco awareness ads and videos, stating that while many of them are indeed powerful and disturbing, their impact tends to fade with repeated exposure. “Those ads are hard-hitting. Even I get disturbed watching them. And that’s the point; they’re supposed to shake us. But the problem is, after a while, people start ignoring them,” he said.

“We have become used to them. So yes, they do have an impact, but we need to keep finding new and creative ways to deliver the message so it actually hits home,” he added.

Despite widespread awareness and regulatory efforts, even hookah bars continue to operate in the country. The actor believes it is because of the misconception that hookah is a harmless, social activity. “The truth is it’s just as harmful, if not more. And enforcement becomes tricky because hookah bars don’t always look like places that promote tobacco. They blend in. We need stricter checks and more awareness at the ground level,” he said.

“We need a cultural shift. The way we made wearing seatbelts or helmets cool, we need to do that with being tobacco-free. Public figures, influencers, and actors—we all have a role. If we show that it’s cool to be healthy, strong, and smoke-free, maybe the youth will follow. It’s not about preaching. It’s about showing by example,” Neel ended.