Chinese film director Zhang Yimou is at the center of a controversy after making comments on celebrities using drugs during an interview backfired.

Zhang, along with other comedians, actors and dancers, spoke in an interview with Xinhua News Agency after news broke on Friday that singer Yin Xiangjie had been arrested again for drug use and possession.

Zhang, whose hit movies include Red Sorghum, House of Flying Daggers and Coming Home, claimed he had seen "a number of actors" smoke marijuana during shooting, and "someone even tried to persuade me to try ecstasy".

Netizens were quick to react to his comments, with some saying people have an obligation to report illegal behavior, including drug use, to police.

But some lawyers and law professors said that not reporting drug use is not listed as a crime.

Wu Ming'an, a criminal law professor with China University of Political Science and Law, said: "In my view, Zhang's comments and his behavior while seeing others use drugs were his own choice. Under the law, there are no liabilities if someone does not report."

Ruan Chuansheng, a criminal lawyer in Shanghai, said that several obligations in the law and in administrative rules are expected to guide people's behavior instead of punishing them.

"The opinion that some netizens mentioned, in my opinion, was unsatisfactory to public figures such as Zhang," Ruan said.

"Celebrities should take more responsibility for what they are doing, setting a good example for the public, but it is not reasonable to say Zhang acted illegally and should be punished."

"It's also not sensible to blame Zhang. After all, what we know is just one sentence from Zhang in the interview," he added.

A series of celebrities, including Jaycee Chan, son of kung fu superstar Jackie Chan, and Zhang Mo, son of actor Zhang Guoli, were detained and sentenced for drug use in the past year.

In October last year, the State Administration of Press, Radio, Film and Television released a directive to TV stations, film producers and distributors prohibiting the broadcast of works by actors who use drugs or visit prostitutes.

Ruan applauded the move, saying that the better way to solve the problem is to enforce this rule strictly and punish those who have broken the law.

Contact the writers through caoyin@chinadaily.com.cn