Priya video fine, but only flash in pan: Residents

Avneet Kaur

Jalandhar, February 19

In 30 seconds, Priya Prakash Varrier achieved a thousand milestones to become an internet sensation overnight. Ever since the video from the upcoming Malayalam film, Oru Adaar Love, went viral on the social networking site, users of social media have been simply smitten by her. 

In the past one week, her short clip not only turned into 2018’s biggest meme, she also ranked among the front runners on Google in the race for the most searched actress. Within a few days, her followers on Instagram reached over 2.6 million and the girl has grabbed hogged the media attention and is still trending on social media. Her success and fame is reminiscent of the song “Why this Kolaveri Di?” sung by Dhanush that too had gone on to become a rage and a huge hit on the social media.  

The Tribune spoke to some of the city residents, especially the youth, to know their reaction over the Priya Varrier video which has catapulted the actor to instant stardom. They were also asked about their opinion on the youth of the nation who have been taken in by her naughty youthfulness, so much so that the girl from down South is being labelled the national crush.

Neerja Yadav, a housewife and the mother of a 19-year-old son, says, “I neither know her, nor do I find anything interesting about her. I saw the video while my son was watching it on Twitter and posting his comment. I instantly asked him whether the video has contributed to an increase in his knowledge or education or had given him some purpose in life.”

The youth today is being mislead and the social sites are to be blamed for this. The video might get Priya new roles and more offers while the rest of the nation is wasting time having dreams of her, she added.

Another youngster Ramneet Kaur, a class XII student, said, “I saw the video and liked it also, but I could not understand as to what was so fascinating that the nation was going gaga over it. The girl is pretty no doubt, so also her acting skills, but creating social media hysteria for a wink reflects the mindset of today’s youth who are just waiting for something new and funny on the social media sites and has nothing to do with the growth and development of the nation.”

Like Ramneet, many youngsters shared their opinion saying, “The recent Pakora punch by Amit Shah suits these youngsters who for no reason fall for Katrina, Kareena, and now Priya. They have nothing productive to do, so they simply waste their time sharing such videos,” said Anjali, a student of BCom second year. 

“No one acknowledge the soldiers who are fighting hard to protect the nation, we are rather busy confessing our admiration for Priya Varrier. It is saddening to see that the youth of the nation has nothing to do with the political, cultural and economic aspects and are more into showoff, brand buying and partying,” said Karamveer Singh, a retired doctor.  

Where the youth is heading towards, only God knows, exclaimed Ritu Kaura, a government employee. Stressing that the youth needs to actively participate in sports and other political events, she said, “Today, even a class V student has a Facebook account and can be seen navigating the social media sites to see what is trending. But if you ask them the name of our vice-president or president, they are blank.”

It is good that people, through the social media sites, are getting new ventures and opportunities to excel in. On the other hand, they are also becoming addicted to it and are more into virtual reality than on the real plane. “This Priya Varrier video is nothing but a new time pass for the youth who are tired of Modi and Kejriwal jokes and memes,” Ritu Kaura added.