The sanctimonious debate of
intolerance once again received a shot arm with Aamir Khan raising alarm saying
that his wife is now scared to live in this country and worried about future of
their son. Sadly while the intolerance bandwagon surely missed the support of
the one of the celebrity Khans but glad to know the personal ruminations of the
one of the most adored actor. Just like the intolerance remarks of Shahrukh
Khan, this Khan too received great attention of the print and visual media. It
is distressing as how the most celebrated icons of Bollywood could grade the
very country intolerant that had made them what they are now. The personal
coffers of all these superstars could have been empty but for the patronage of
the country which is still a Hindu-majority nation. Indian audience are in awe
for the incredible acting skills of this Khan, who in various roles have emoted
and impressed them be it Sarfarosh, Lagaan, Ghazini, Taare Zameen Par or PK.
Despite the denigrating and hurtful assault on the rituals of the Hindus in the
PK movie, Aamir Khan could get away without any censure (and in fact minted
millions) but for the tolerance of people. Lest he envisages making a film like
PK on any other religion Aamir could have had the real taste of tolerance of
people living elsewhere. It is a
whimsical paradigm when the contentious media back Aamir and Shahrukh that the
exceptional skill of these actors who have anyway turned them into superstars
irrespective of the country.
For many reasons the statement made
by Aamir Khan captured the attention and imagination of people from various
walks of life. The myriad hues acquired can partly be attributed to the
nationalistic appeal of his roles in Sarfarosh, Rang de Basanti and Laagan
which are cherished by Indian audience. Besides, he was brand ambassador of
Incredible India and Swacch Bharat (he was chosen for the task despite his
allegations on Modi). Secondly for not firing shots directly or avoided being
straight-forward and majority believed that Aamir is making the statements on
intolerance using his wife’s name. While calling the statement “should we move
out of India?” made by his wife as disastrous, he didn’t condemn and in fact
alluded that similar sense existed in him. Interestingly Aamir donned a role of
benevolent messiah through his debut role in Satyameva Jayate, a popular social show which made him popular
among masses. People believed that he had a broader grass root level connect
and hence Indian public dissented his peevish remarks.
The Bollywood fraternity which is now
a fractured lot thanks to the deafening voices of overpowering condemnations
and retributions towards the intolerance debates two major factions have
surfaced. While a faction of Bollywood extended unflinching support to the
opinions voiced by Aamir another faction advised him to instil hope in society.
In sharp contrast the instance has drew severe public flak which is mirrored
clearly in the public opinion survey conducted by Times of India wherein whopping
88% believed that India is tolerant. Unlike the initial remarks made by
artistes, intellectuals, scientists and writers who damned India’s rising intolerance,
the statement made by Aamir was immediately condemned by several people.
Perhaps, this too indicates a change in people’s mood which now had reached a
break-even point wherein no more recriminatory adages about India might be
tolerated.
In the wake of eruption of brutal
terrorist attacks globally Indians and perhaps World at large is beginning to
wonder how a country as diverse and large as India is relatively peaceful. Of
late Indic values are held in high esteem for fostering an inclusiveness in
society. If not for the accommodating nature of Indian society despite being
burdened by burgeoning population it has been sheltering millions of refugees
from other South Asian countries. It is startling as how the emperors of
Bollywood after making sweeping statements on the basic identity of the country
except to walk away without drawing the ire of irate audience. While as a
celebrity he/she has every right to voice their public opinions they too must
be prepared to welcome the dissenting opinions of people instead of branding
society as “intolerant”. By and large it time that people enjoying a respectable
position in society not simply walk away making ludicrous comments instead must
be prudent enough to suggest ideas to better the society. All these icons of
intellect and creativity who command people’s loyalty and love must at least do
something for social good. These “chosen few” who have resources, finances and
connect with people should stop shying away from problems and start working out
solutions to weed out the ills of society.
On a different note, celebrities are
accorded a special importance and are looked upon by the society as role
models. Sweeping, outlandish statements on pretext of venting out personal
prejudices must be questioned. Common man and hordes of fans who blindly follow
these celebrities are gravely misled by the contorted views opined by these
people. The status of a celebrity comes with a responsibility .It would be
prudent that people who are showered with unconditional love must refrain from
making immature statements and engage in constructive criticism. Open-ended
statements will have serious implications and consequences.
How could Aamir Khan, aside making a
mark of his own on the big screen began to rock and cajole people to make a bit
of social thinking through Satyameva
Jayate failed to alert audience about the atrocities of those times? It is
intriguing as how emotional Aamir who could become teary-eyed at the instance
of female feoticide, police atrocities etc., could never shed tears or
contemplate on the massacre of 1984 or brutal bombings endured by Mumbai? How
could his conscience remain so stoic to the plight of Kashmiri pandits and not
urge him to speak out all the while? Why did he oblige to be the Brand
Ambassador of Incredible India when he could be ruthless in casting aspersions
about the tolerance of very country he intends to promote? Does this indicate
the lure of money is more tantalizing than the dubious thoughts he harbors for
the country and the people who made him a celebrity? Why is there a sudden urge
to castigate the Indianness and label the country as intolerant?
These Bollywood icons who
vociferously seek parity with the Hollywood stars, should now emulate the sense
of social responsibility of their peers in western lands before pointing
fingers at the government or at the Indian society at large. Till now they
reveled in the unstinted love and patronage of masses and amassed wealth it is
time to give back something in return.
Moreover Aamir Khan is widely
respected in film circles for his brilliant logical thinking. What stops him
from teaming up with his wife and aggrieved Kiran Rao, a short film maker to
come up with logical documentaries that can stem the rising tide of intolerance
envisaged by them? During the making of Satyameva
Jayate Aamir had illustrated that several man-hours were expended in bring
out the ills afflicting the society to fore. With his previous experience why
can’t he address the issue of intolerance in Indian society? Is it only big
bucks and remunerative tie-ups with Reliance Foundation could alone propel these star
actors into action and stir their (articulated) conscience?
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