Public smoking ain’t so ‘ismart’, say cops

Playing a badass onscreen can have repercussions in real life too — and Ram Pothineni learnt it the hard way when he was fined for public smoking while shooting for his next, Ismart Shankar at Charminar on Monday. “Ram was caught smoking on camera. As per Section 4 of the COTPA Act 2003 we levied a fine of `200,” informs B Pandary, SI, Charminar police station. Smoking within 20 meters of the 400-year-old monument is prohibited and a fine of `200 is imposed on violators under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA).
On May 27, Hyderabad City Police launched ‘Mission smoke-free Hyderabad’ — a drive against public smoking within the city. “We have put up signboards to warn the public about smoking restrictions and a team of police personnel have been deployed to monitor Charminar. So far, 50-80 offenders have been fined for public smoking,” shares B Anjaiah, ACP, Charminar. “Near Charminar especially, there are lot of pedestrians and many tourists come to visit so it’s all the more important to curb smoking,” he adds.
I was smoking while shooting, but respected the law: Ram PothineniThe actor, meanwhile, has clarified that he was smoking as part of the shoot as his character in Ismart Shankar is shown smoking. but, as a law abiding citizen, he agreed to pay the fine nonetheless, he said. “Naa time-u.. Public time-u waste cheyadam ishtam leka respond gaale... Shot la kalchina thammi.. Break la kaad.. Title song la chustaavga stepu..phir bhi law ki izzat ichi fine kattinam.. Gippudu nuvvu kuda naa lekka.. #LiteTheskoPaniChusko -Ustaad #iSmartShankar (sic),” Ram tweeted.