Star Hero gets special permission to smoke

Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan has been allowed to smoke in his hotel room in Berlin, a city where lighting up is banned! Germany has banned smoking in public and private restaurants since 2008. Those caught flouting the ban would face a fine of up to 100 Euros (approx Rs 6,116). Smoking in public places, especially in hotels and restaurants is strictly prohibited not just in Berlin but in other German states as well. There are 'No Smoking' signs and warnings that the offender would be fined if caught smoking, put up everywhere. However, the rules have been bent for Shahrukh Khan, who is shooting in Berlin for Don 2. The actor can smoke at the Hotel Mandala on Potsdamer Platz for the entire duration of his stay there. It has been two months since he began shooting there. Recently, a German magazine carried a report about the general manager of the hotel giving Shahrukh special permission to flout the norms. A special exception was made for Suite 1107, where Shahrukh will stay till the end of November. The actor has also been provided an ashtray to make sure he doesn't damage the carpeting and linen in his suite on the 11th floor of the hotel. The rate of the room is Rs 113,960 per night. According to law, smoking is forbidden throughout the property's premises. However, the management of Hotel Mandala has made an exception for Shahrukh because they consider him their most prized guest. The actor's craving for nicotine is well known, but this is the first time that the authorities have bent rules for anyone. Producer Ritesh Sidhwani confirms, "Shah Rukh's suite has a terrace attached and they (the hotel authorities) were kind enough to allow him to smoke only on the terrace." The German media has already carried articles gushing about India's King Khan choosing their city for his mega-budget film. It's obvious the Germans are going all out to make SRK's stay in their country as comfortable and memorable as possible.