Amitabh Bachchan, a living legend of the Indian silver
screen seems to have emerged as an outcast wherein his actions and personal
space are being encroached, if they are found to be not in ‘consonance’ with
the likes of the ruling establishment.
The recent diatribe by certain disgruntled and nondescript politicians bemoaning over Big B being a guest of honor during the inauguration of Bandra-Worli Sea Link at Mumbai on flimsy grounds is a matter of concern. The outburst by some of the lower rung politicians, who didn’t find mention in the guest list, had upped their ante against their government in Maharashtra by the seeking the removal of the Chief Minister over the presence of Amitabh Bachchan at the event.
Their main grouse in the present controversy is that the senior Bachchan had chosen to be the brand ambassador for the state of Gujarat, which is governed by their arch rival the BJP with whom, they are locked in a running battle over the communal riots of 2002. Hence, they argue that Bachchan by not taking a clear stand on the riots and not condemning the role of Narendra Modi government doesn’t qualify to be invited for official functions in Congress governed states.
Bachchan has clarified time and again that by accepting the offer to become brand ambassador of any Indian state he is merely promoting tourism and in no way endorsing the politics of the ruling party in the state. Earlier he had been the brand ambassador for the state of Uttar Pradesh during the rule of Samajwadi Party. Ironically, the government of Kerala which was very keen to have Bachchan for promoting tourism in gods own country, retreated after their central leadership vetoed on similar grounds.
Since some years it is etched in popular memory that Bachchan is being treated as a persona non grata by the Congress regime at the centre, which is attributed to the gradual slump in his relations with the Gandhi family. A trusted aide and a childhood friend of Rajiv Gandhi, Bachchan also took a plunge into politics at the behest of the former and went on to defeat HM Bhahuguna in the Allahabad polls in 1984. The Bofors scandal broke that bonhomie and Bachchan chose to return to his celluloid world and renounced active political life by resigning from the parliament. There has been a systematic move to sideline him in state sponsored functions concerned with film industry with the establishment picking second line stars and sometimes insignificant stars to grace such functions. Moreover his son Abhishek Bachchan’s posters and his video message for Earth Hour 2010 were removed hours before the event.
In an age of ambivalent media and paid news Bachchan has been very categorical through his blog informing the masses about his responsibility as a citizen and his contribution as a conscious member of the society in promoting social causes. In a recent interview to NDTV, Bachchan has been very categorical about his responsibility as a citizen and his contribution as a conscious member of the society in promoting social causes. He has also endorsed NDTV’s save the Tiger campaign, ironically without evoking any controversy.
He also responded to this controversy by stating that people taking umbrage at his association with Gujarat had never battled an eyelid on business icons like Ratan Tata or Mukesh Ambani investing in the state and running successful ventures from there. Bachchan has skillfully responded to the controversy in the public sphere by soliciting readers views on him attending such programmes after uploading invitations received from different ministers on his blog.
The move intended to browbeat a ‘political rival’ ended up in targeting a celebrity, which boomeranged with the action hero meticulously getting back at the political khap panchayats through his blog addressing his enraged fans.
The recent diatribe by certain disgruntled and nondescript politicians bemoaning over Big B being a guest of honor during the inauguration of Bandra-Worli Sea Link at Mumbai on flimsy grounds is a matter of concern. The outburst by some of the lower rung politicians, who didn’t find mention in the guest list, had upped their ante against their government in Maharashtra by the seeking the removal of the Chief Minister over the presence of Amitabh Bachchan at the event.
Their main grouse in the present controversy is that the senior Bachchan had chosen to be the brand ambassador for the state of Gujarat, which is governed by their arch rival the BJP with whom, they are locked in a running battle over the communal riots of 2002. Hence, they argue that Bachchan by not taking a clear stand on the riots and not condemning the role of Narendra Modi government doesn’t qualify to be invited for official functions in Congress governed states.
Bachchan has clarified time and again that by accepting the offer to become brand ambassador of any Indian state he is merely promoting tourism and in no way endorsing the politics of the ruling party in the state. Earlier he had been the brand ambassador for the state of Uttar Pradesh during the rule of Samajwadi Party. Ironically, the government of Kerala which was very keen to have Bachchan for promoting tourism in gods own country, retreated after their central leadership vetoed on similar grounds.
Since some years it is etched in popular memory that Bachchan is being treated as a persona non grata by the Congress regime at the centre, which is attributed to the gradual slump in his relations with the Gandhi family. A trusted aide and a childhood friend of Rajiv Gandhi, Bachchan also took a plunge into politics at the behest of the former and went on to defeat HM Bhahuguna in the Allahabad polls in 1984. The Bofors scandal broke that bonhomie and Bachchan chose to return to his celluloid world and renounced active political life by resigning from the parliament. There has been a systematic move to sideline him in state sponsored functions concerned with film industry with the establishment picking second line stars and sometimes insignificant stars to grace such functions. Moreover his son Abhishek Bachchan’s posters and his video message for Earth Hour 2010 were removed hours before the event.
In an age of ambivalent media and paid news Bachchan has been very categorical through his blog informing the masses about his responsibility as a citizen and his contribution as a conscious member of the society in promoting social causes. In a recent interview to NDTV, Bachchan has been very categorical about his responsibility as a citizen and his contribution as a conscious member of the society in promoting social causes. He has also endorsed NDTV’s save the Tiger campaign, ironically without evoking any controversy.
He also responded to this controversy by stating that people taking umbrage at his association with Gujarat had never battled an eyelid on business icons like Ratan Tata or Mukesh Ambani investing in the state and running successful ventures from there. Bachchan has skillfully responded to the controversy in the public sphere by soliciting readers views on him attending such programmes after uploading invitations received from different ministers on his blog.
The move intended to browbeat a ‘political rival’ ended up in targeting a celebrity, which boomeranged with the action hero meticulously getting back at the political khap panchayats through his blog addressing his enraged fans.
When a politician is described as a cross between a Chameleon & a turncoat it highlights their highly developed sense of oppurtunism & self preservation & showcases their sharp reflexes unencumbered by values & morals. It is a well written piece sir
ReplyDeleteInsightful.
ReplyDeleteThe metronomic regularity of the antics and shenanigans of self serving sycophants are dangerous signs.
The fabric of the polity is fraying and the resulting display of nakedness is already unapologetic and getting increasingly brazen with every incident.