Mahesh Babu to Allu Arjun

Producer: Mehak Pal Editor: Sujata Singh

During Guntur Kaaram promotions, Mahesh Babu opened up about his character Ramana who often lights up a beedi.

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[{"selector":"#anim-af022a94-9d01-481d-a787-e359313a5c56 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-11.286117950077085%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] The star revealed he was lighting up mint-flavored clove leaves instead of tobacco on-screen. Here is a look at times when South celebs spoke of smoking on-screen to kick the habit off.

‘It was difficult to quit smoking’

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In 2010, Mahesh Babu took to X and recommended fans a book to read in case they were looking to quit smoking like he did.

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‘Gave it up for my career’

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[{"selector":"#anim-4d3f6fc6-259c-4bc8-bddf-82598f2a7d77 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(11.273613499776152%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] In 2017, Rana Daggubati during promotions of his film Nene Raju Nene Mantri stated that he began smoking for the film and got habituated to it later on. He added that he never took quitting it seriously till it began affecting his work.

‘I’ve never been fascinated with smoking’

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[{"selector":"#anim-a908ab2b-86aa-4da0-8abf-0d7a8ad2daa5 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(16.613746319345807%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] In 2014, Ram Charan while talking to director Krishna Vamsi about his film Govindudu Andarivadele stated how he was never fascinated by smoking.

‘Please do not imitate me, smoking is injurious’

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‘I took up smoking inspired by Chiranjeevi and Madhavan’

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