By Tridiv Sinha, New Delhi
I have lost my interest in editorials and column writers of newspapers these days. They have become the pawns of propaganda about the Greatness of Democracy. In disguise, they are fooling innocent people from the fact that it is becoming more and more Capitalistic Dictatorship. Isn’t it the responsibility of the press people to make people realize what’s going wrong in the system, instead of advertising the greatness in it?
If we take a look in the entertainment field, take movies for instance; controversies circling around a recent big movie is bound to be a blockbuster hit even if its contents are mediocre if not poor. It seems every movie coming out today with the so-called superstars follow up a huge controversy around it. The big ones in Bollywood have realized that publicity, in normal terms promotions and campaigns are no better than creating a ‘negative publicity’ to market the movie.
So, most of them adopt to include something controversial to ignite a few orthodox people and thus create a larger audience who are hungry for something ‘Wicked’. The biggies in b’wood create ‘masala’ to feed the audiences which are acting as appetizers for the oncoming movie. Aamir Khan starrer ‘3 Idiots’ came up with an almost legal battle between the producers and the author from whose book the movie was allegedly based. Result is the success of the movie and the publicity of the author for his new book without spending much on marketing campaigns. Salman Khan starrer ‘Veer’ came up with its own controversy with Rajputs and an author, who claims his quote was copied in the movie. Result, mediocre success for the movie.
Now, how come another Khan be left out? Shah Rukh Khan and Karan Johar might have seen the patterns and thus came up with their own stupid controversy. Last time I heard, SRK has some control over Kolkata Knight Riders IPL team. This year, no Pakistani was selected by the IPL teams; which means even KK Riders have no Pak players too. So, what’s the meaning of SRK’s statement that Pak players should be included in IPL? Is there any reasoning on his statement when he didn’t select a player for his team himself? This indicates that he was just trying to create a controversy so that his movie sells. Just before the film’s opening, the usual happened. Someone raised protest to ban his movie. But in the nick of time, govt intervened and thus movie opened to full houses.
Journalists condemned the action of the protesters and declared it another victory of the great Indian democracy. But, just think for yourself. Put your grey matter to use. Who ignited the bomb here? Who is the winner? Who is the loser?
Answer, the biggies of tinsel town have fooled common masses once again to create an image of sympathy and the greatness of fans to rise up to the occasion to support their favorite actors and actresses.
Hi Tridiv,
ReplyDeleteNice post.
However, i have different opinion about the subject. True, there's yellow journalism all around but there are quality information as well. What you and i, as educated people can do is, take the positives out of it and spread it to the rest of the world. True! that some publicity stunts are done here and there, thereby meeting the commercial aspects of a product called MOVIE. Especially from the examples given, we can again take some positives out of the events as well. The 3- Idiots issue should not be looked upon as a publicity tactic, infact none of the parties involved really need that, both having high integrity and public space. What you and I could appreciate is the fact that a CB raised his voice, brought the focus on to an important aspect plagued in the Indian Creative diaspora. Of that of loopholes in Intelliectual Property and Copyright issues that exists in the creative world. And that it needs to be tightened. I'm sure in future, all creative minds and business heads would get into appropriate legal MoUs after this incident. I was travelling during the SRK episode so could not gather much. But likewise, a person whos invested so much in a sporting team would not be so blunt in his statements, defy his own act and go all out. Nah! it was on strict professional aspects that he spoke. Yes! players are players, be it from any country. When you and I raise our opinions in this blogs, many of them are wrong and illogical...no one is bothered. When an SRK raises, it becomes an issue just because he's visible in public domain. The greater question that the educated class should ask is, why are the Thackerays of the world are calling against an opinion and stamp it as against national interest and so on. Why cant we raise our opinions and talk loud...why are some corners of the courtry against the very definition of democracy. We could also applaud for people who witnessed the movie inspite of the threats. So, the very point that i'm making here is, lets take the larger positive things and share with the world.
Tridiv, nothing personal here, just a different approach of thinking. you're correct in your own way.
Infact, i like the way you articulate, keep them flowing. I'd be waiting for your next releases.
Cheers
Prabal
I think we Indians have very vulnerable sentiments which get arise and 'clicked' every now and then even on slightest pretext and our media easily manipulate these and target our soft spots. GopaMatu, Thane.
ReplyDeleteDear Prabal...
ReplyDeleteI don't see the logic behind SRK's opinion...His action and words are completely incoherent...I'm not against his opinion but the relation between his words and actions...SRK wasn't bothered about including a Pak player in his team, later he tells that even Pak players should be included...Then why didn't he bought a Pak player for himself...ILP didn't banned Pak players, it's the owners who were to choose whom they bought...