Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 29, 2014)

Doctors advised Salman Khan to stay away from alcohol and cigarettes when he was diagnosed for trigeminal neuralgia which caused him acute pain and required surgery in 2011. Even though many say that the actor continues to have a drink and puff on a ciggie occasionally, his father, Salim Khan, reveals otherwise. The 48-year-old star has been completely off the two vices since the past three years.

 “Whenever Salman has a strong urge, he pours out a drink and keeps the glass in front of him. But he never takes a sip. He just sits with it and after a while the urge subsides,” explains Salim.

 When quizzed about how he coped with withdrawal symptoms, Salim admitted that Salman had a tough time initially, particularly when he decided to give up smoking.

 "For several months, he used to hold an unlit cigarette in his hand. Someone suggested that this would do the trick, and it did. Soon, he even stopped feeling the need to hold that cigarette,” says the proud father, adding that close friends made it a point never to smoke in front of him. "They are equally concerned about his health.” Salim admits that even he used a similar ploy in 1973, holding a cigar in his hand. “I haven’t lit up since," Salim asserts. "And today I am happy my son too is health conscious."