Two viral clips in a month of two A- list actresses, one who was force- fed to us that she is the IT GIRL for about 12- 13 years and the other who has been around for 25 years or so and has managed to capture the hearts of the audience all around the world, hardly needs an introduction on the international red carpets but is trolled incessantly for 'no remarks' on a humanitarian crisis and being apparently being pro- genocide because she stood beside a Hollywood actor and kept smiling when he declared that he was in favour of a nation that has been at the receiving end of leaders in the world whose greed won't end and hatred for a certain community is never going to change for them because it is easy to pit people against people when you categorically mention how one 'religion' is supposedly 'dangerous'. Dangerous how exactly, is my question. But this article is not about contesting that opinion. I am deeply concerned with how people behave on the internet when it comes to celebrities, especially Indian celebrities.
Not even a week since the boyfriend of a famous Kardarshian sister was hauled up for not being in favour of ballet or opera raising the eyebrows of many who have forever been in awe of the art forms owing to the cultural and historical significance of both, since generations. Not to forget, the youngest Spiderman we now know was cast because he knew ballet. Of course, people tend to underestimate how much British actors love reading and diving into all sorts of 'weird' to get the essence of the characters they play on- screen, Broadway is just one of the many avenues in this regard. I noticed how the internet went from cheering the Kardarshian boyfriend to making him a laughing stock because of his comments on the art forms. This, I feel is justified. His field demands him to be more open and welcoming towards various eccentricities. I mean, it would be just like saying 'gay characters' are irrelevant to the plot because nobody really thinks gay characters enhance a specific storyline anymore. No, gay characters are often cast in storylines or plots because they represent the other side of 'manhood', someone who is not a man yet his mannerisms and emotions depict a deep sense of empathy or sensitivity when the female lead forgets that she is a 'woman'. What I wish to say is, sometimes, the gay character will remind you of what it means like to 'not having it altogether' and it is okay, you gotta slay anyway!
Coming back to the A- list actress who has been around for 25 years--- people lost their wits when she stood smiling, as I have mentioned earlier. Let us look at the situation first-- where she was standing, what she was there for, where her priorities are at the moment, her gender, her career and not to forget, and why she chose to move from her homeland to pursue a career that was almost finished in her maiden years. First, why are we expecting celebrities to speak on anything that is geo- political and much larger than what is just visible owing to the news and media? Second, she is a woman and her struggle to be seen in the glamour world, being unconventionally beautiful yet holding her ground with strength and grace, doing fabulous work in the international grounds, being a producer who brought National Award by virtue of taking bets on a vernacular film, you really think your questions will affect her in any manner? Do you actually think she will speak on a humanitarian crisis when leaders of her homeland speak nonsense on caste, religion and importance of human life? When it comes to voting for the right candidates when it is about governance, these people making a ruckus on the internet choose to be complacent. It is interesting because there is misogyny running in their own families, sexism in their workplaces, women in their acquaintances complaining of day- to -day struggles in myriad walks of life and they say nothing-- they choose silence, or turn a blind eye/ deaf- ear to any of the above. They will never say anything about atrocities committed against women in their country and then question a celebrity whose sole intent in the entertainment industry is to entertain.
Many people would ask "But she is the UN representative yada yada". Yes, she is. It is hilarious how people have equated taking action on the ground level and mere words uttered from an individual's mouth. It is just like saying, "Oh, the politician at least spoke of ABC, XYZ issues" and it does not matter if he takes steps to accomplish whatever he has promised in his 20-page speech. Should every act of charity or helping the downtrodden be performed for an audience? Even when one speaks on a global dais about a genocide, what is to say that they are kind to a neighbour or animals, or they have discarded travelling in private jets? It is not a single- dimensional issue. What celebrities choose to speak on or not has least to do with what they are paid for? Let me ask you a question, this actress you are pointing fingers at (or any celebrity you are asking answers from) are they in the fields of 'public service'? The last time I checked we had the bureaucracy and the political class for the same.
I mentioned another actress who was pushed down our throats at the turn of a decade of the millennium. It is now that people are calling her out on her bullying tactics in the film industry just because she has a Godfather backing her actions. Not pitting one actress against the other, but imagine having all the power you have after being an A- lister and you do nothing about those still wanting representation in the film industry. Unless it is a film that makes billions across the world, she would never publicly mention how much she is in awe of another actress who has more potential than the current lot of actresses just because it is her husband who made the widely- acclaimed film. People don't question that stuff because it is irrelevant for gathering clout and 'it is just the movies'. No, you should have a problem with that because there will be someone who you know in some way who might fall prey to similar politics in some other area of life, some other industry because it has been established long ago, "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely". If you do not understand how it is different from the geo- political situation, I really have nothing to say to say to you.
The internet is extremely fickle-- today they are by your side and will make you a celebrity out of no reason at all and then the algorithm will change suddenly so as to push you off your throne the very next day. The human race has several pressing matters to discuss but they would rather get influenced by what 'trends' on social media. Hate or love, both are decided by trends, and not on discernment. When you have no opinion of your own but choose to speak on something based on 'everyone is saying something about this so let me choose the side that looks convenient to me and then I too will be one of the intelligent crowds'. Hello! That is not intelligence. An opinion is not a fact. People leading lives of lies, not being able to practice honesty with themselves in the first place, asking for accountability from people whose job is to entertain. Just entertain. Unless they are doing something absolutely sinister like feeding on human meat, shut up, will you?
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