For over a year, Anurag Kashyap had delayed the release of Ugly, refusing to carry the man datory anti-smoking disclaimer whenever a cigarette was seen smouldering on screen.

The film was finally unveiled as a Black Christmas treat because the producers' money was at stake. But Anurag is determined to continue with his fight and refuses to watch his film in the theatres, saying that the disclaimer would make him feel insulted and cheated. Ruing the lack of support from the industry, he has wondered why filmmakers don't love their films enough to fight the battle with him.

Well, he has found an ally in another actor-filmmaker. Farhan Akhtar, who is equally averse to the 'No Smoking' disclaimer, says that it is more of a distraction than an effective campaign. “We all are in agreement that smoking is injurious to health. But is running a disclaimer as a sub-title during a scene the solution to the problem? The answer is 'no',“ Farhan tells Mirror. In his petition submitted in the Bombay High Court, Anurag has argued that the disclaimer restrains a filmmaker's constitutional right to freedom of speech and expression. “This warning destroys the aesthetic value of a film and distracts audience from the movie thus ruining the experience of watching a film,“ he had stated earlier.

Farhan agrees that the disclaimer is more of a creative hindrance which takes away from the viewing experience. “It is like putting the lights on in the hall during a scene and expecting not to disturb the audience or cause a lapse in their concentration. Is that possible? The answer again is 'no',“ he reasons.

Anurag has been saying that the responsibility of curbing the use of tobacco rests with the Health Ministry and it should ban tobacco producing companies. If films have to be used as a medium to promote non-smoking, instead of static statutory warnings, the ministry should work closely with film makers to come up with poignant films which would be a more effective way in sending the message across.

Farhan has been talking to his team and other filmmakers on this and wants to reach out to the concerned authorities. “The film industry had willingly accepted and proudly supported the anti smoking public awareness film by attaching it to prints and digital files, to be run before the start of a feature. But to have disclaimers in the film itself is stepping on the filmmakers' toes, demanding that the creator compromise on his integrity,“ he says, adding, “We have a rating system that decides the appropriate age limits for film viewing. I'm sure that smoking can be dealt with through this certification system,“ Farhan said.