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countless youth icon awards by music channels, magazines and business houses will have us believe that stars are the best bet at being role models. The ground reality, however, is far from what makes the happening crowd least role model variety! Saif Ali Khan in a restaurant brawl, Luke Pormsbarsch’s ‘off field’ antics during the IPL, SRK’s violent outburst at the Wankhade Stadium, young cricketers caught attending rave parties makes for a good copy but bad examples!The big question is can celebrities be role models both off and on the screen, field or podium?
The question is should the celebrities not understand the onus to behave socially responsible. Is it the high that one gets from power, fame, money and influence that causes the celebrities to behave badly? Is it fair upon us to view them as role models? Are we being too harsh on our celebrities who are, after all, human beings first? Anushka Sharma in a recent interview said she didn’t want to become a role model. She said, “I am who I am, I do what I do, because I think it’s right. People should do what they think is right for them. If you think something is right in me, you accept that.” Gul Panag, a powerhouse performer and a youth icon, opines, “This deliberation on celebrities as role models belongs to the grey area. People in the films are like any other officegoers who are doing a job. He or she is not the elected representative of the people. At the same time, a socially responsible behaviour should be expected of him too as millions of people do idolise him!” So is this a situation where a celebrity is going to be picked upon and is ‘damned if he is socially responsible and damned if he isn’t! The mild mannered Sonu Sood, who has not courted a controversy says, “I have done my share of getting into trouble during college! Nowadays, I feel even the mass media is to be blamed partially for every small detail concerning a celebrity is now front page news. The growing tabloid culture and the who’s who living in a fish bowl, makes people crack under pressure.”
Jimmy Sheirgill concurs, “One must understand that a celebrity is a human being first and when pushed against the wall, will retaliate like anyone else. As a celebrity, one has to walk the thin line of politeness and firmness. When I travel, there are many people who queue up to get pictures and autographs. Though I try to accommodate as many as possible, there are times when I can’t, so I politely but firmly refuse.” Recounting an incident at the Delhi Airport’s Body Shop outlet Gul Panag says, “There I was awaiting change to be given back after the purchases, about to almost miss my flight when the sales-staff was busy clicking my pictures. I was fuming but sarcastically told them off but I made it to the flight late. In such a situation, no one thinks of the celebrities. The only thing they think of is that she is a celebrity so she thinks she can talk in late and take the system for granted! How fair is that on us?” Celebrity bashing is not a new thing in India or abroad. What goes up must be brought down. So slight aberrations of behaviour can malign the name for life and he or she is therefore branded! The celebrities may not have been elected by the people but they have made then what they are.At the same time, this is also true that hero worshipping and idolising stars are the practices of the yore. The youth today have their head firmly secured on to their heads and know exactly what they want! Seerat Brar, a first-year student at MCM DAV Chandigarh, says, “More than the actors, we look up to sporting heroes like Saina Nehwal or Mary Kom as our idols. Filmstars are only entertaining and that, too, for a while. We are aware of the fact that their reel and real life are two separate issues.”
The icons of the 21st century are less of names and more of success models like, power, fame and money. Be it in politics, religion or entertainment industry, the black and white distinction between the good the bad and the ugly are morphing into a deep black shade of grey; and the youth is fully aware of the choices that lie in front of them.
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Shah Rukh Khan in a TV interview about talking about the public spat he had with the security guard in the Wankhade Stadium said he did not want to become a youth icon or a role model as he was primarily an actor and his job was to act!
