New Delhi: Pop stars, Movie stars, Sports stars why do they drive us, nuts? What mystical X quality do they possess to yank out moods, feelings, emotions and passions we lesser mortals seldom dare to reveal or express in our everyday lives? MONOJIT LAHIIRI tries to seek some answers.
Actually it was my young and serious writer friend who first got me thinking. Socially-conscious and sensitive, the evolved and articulate guy is astounded at the huge buzz Aamir Khan's 'Satyamev Jayate' created. Shaking his head in part-amusement, part-bewilderment, he offers his take. "Ek baat batao. None of these rampant social evils Aamir Khan focused on, are unknown. Nor were they born yesterday and discovered today! Theyve been around for ages, but nobody " Government agencies, Political Parties, NGOs or media " gave them the kind of aggressive exposure that this show seems to be doing. While the Superstar does deserve to be complimented for what he and his team were attempting, my question is more basic: Why does it need a celebrity to publicise, focus or turn on the heat about issues that concern all of us, in very real ways, everyday of our lives? Why does it need an entertainment or glamour backdrop to seduce us into confronting causes and concerns that should affect and motivate us anyway and force us to (re) act? Most importantly, why is such vulgar and disproportionate publicity accorded to a show that is in no way commercial " product/movie launch " but
01:14 PM, Oct 26, 2012
Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra looks back at the past decade with pride, but hints that she is a little nervous about what the future holds for her. Nevertheless, she is raring to go. "Today woke up with a strange sense of nervousness, fear maybe.. Worry also.. Wondering what direction life will take... new or familiar? I've always been God's favourite child. N everything happened for a reason. I look back...
01:21 PM, Jan 02, 2011
