Celebrities & Them

A recent reading of an acquaintance's blog got me thinking. It's content was indirectly directed at me or I can safely say, people like me, who work in the Film Industry. The post read like a gossip snippet, without mentioning names, just alphabets for reference and comments on 'kollywood' & obvious digs at souls like me who deal with it. It kept gnawing at my grey cells for across, say, 4 days now. My reaction Ladies & Gentlemen is after much deliberation.

People who love, hate, criticise showbiz are aplenty. Those that have access to 'those' who are behind the camera (which is a majority as against having access to those in front of it)...the former Those have a lot of questions to ask the latter 'those'. A sample list will read as follows:

"Hey, do you know when such and such a film is releasing?"

"Isin't so and so actor a real casanova?"

"I heard this actress really tried to cut her wrists over her boyfriend, is it true?"

"Im suchhh a BIIgGG fan of this singer, can you pleeeeaassseee make me speak to him once?"

Now, it is no big deal for me, who is and always have been dealing with people who make films for a living. But when hounded with questions as those above, at a non-filmy party or a coffee meet at a friend's house, I must admit, I scan a little to check the validity of the question and the interest of the interrogator. When I'm convinced that the interest is greater, I indulge. Spice my content up a bit, yes, as I try to keep anything I say or write less boring... but NEVER do I fib over film people/facts, as I value them a great deal.

Being with Mirchi as their Content Editor/RJ/Film Repertoire Consultant and tested film making waters as Executive Producer/Head of the Films Dept for over 2yrs, I think I have the right to say that it IS a big deal to be a success in showbiz (in any of the Bolly/Kolly/Molly/Tolly 'woods' as you please! First someone must file a petition to do away with these misnomers for each of our film industries!). A star or a technician has an edge, a triumph over strife, that has brought them upto a level of popularity/success, enough to be discussed at kitty parties or in college canteens and mostly, inside the walls of prominent media/broadcast houses! The initial 'wow' factor is always followed by a 'I thought so' refrain...as it's unthinkable for anyone to be told some facts which they (obviously) dont know about 'their' film stars (which is why they ask creatures like me!). But as I have observed, they will only believe what they wish to believe about anyone you mention. But the questions will always be posed as if they eagerly wait for an authentic response.

As a reporter/RJ, I'm always gunning for the untold story, explore the unknown facet of a celebrity. On unraveling that, my respect for each of them who I've had the chance to interact with has only multiplied. My personal views/experiences apart, my professional ones will always have a positive side to it. Therefore, when I'm asked about a certain film personality, I would always present them in a good light. And if its a friend asking me 'doubts', then I will give my personal take on people or my interactions with celebrities with real instances.

I had no clue how this was perceived until I read this particular snippet-post! It hit me that those who ask me questions on film stars do so to fulfil their voyeristic needs. I'm just (used, more likely!) a window, which they will open and shut on their whim 'n' fancy. The fact that I'm human, I spend time on such moments, I try to always give the real picture as far as possible is of no concern to the star-gazers! There is little or no interest to know the real stories of struggle even on their favorite actors. It is more an inherent disdain at mortals who actually happen to know their stars! Such Q-A sessions also gives them a side-kick (literally!) chance to heap insults thereafter at people like me, who, having said the truth, will be targetted by the very same lot who ask for such information! When something I say in good faith is translated as an attempt to show off what I do for my profession, it hurts. But as they say, it happens to the best of 'em!

"When you're discussed in absentia, that's the moment you've stopped being a commoner; you're on your way to being what we call - a Legend", I let Tapas Sen's (one of my favorite people & Chief Programming Officer in Radio Mirchi) words ring through this post. Adding to it was another publicist friend who said, "When your work is spoken of behind your back and when your words have been twisted to be presented in another light, rejoice, for you've become a star machaan!"

I take a bow!