A Star Awakens

For the last couple of days, Mangal Pandey aka DJ aka Aamir Khan is being seen in a different role and rising in it. He seems to be lending the cry of “Halla Bol!!” to the Narmada Bachao Andolan. The response is moxed. Some are welcoming him, while some feel - ‘couldn’t care less, the guy’s out there for publicity’. But, as always, the entire affair in Jantar Mantar, that began more than a fortnight back, is witnessing a lot of popping flashbulbs and prime time news coverage. Just about half of this was happening when Mr. Khan was not around. Moreover, the actor certainly has a lot more on his mind (or sleeve) than most of us could guess. So, he even brought along some members of the cast and crew of Rang De Basanti, merging reel and real scenes, as it were.

Publicity or not, the move is perfectly timed. The discontent and frustration with the establishment, depicted in Rang De, seems to have captured the imaginations of many. So, Khan and Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra are laughing all the way to El Dorado (and not just the bank). Money matters aside, the demonstrations by Medha Patkar and her supporters offered the best real-time scenario of Rang De. So, this is the moment for Bollywood’s ambassador of righteousness to step in. one has to wait and watch to determine whether Khan meets with a similar fate as Viveik Oberoi in Devanampattinam (the tsunami-affected village in Tamil Nadu whose inhabitants he was trying to rehabilitate). Among the immediate responses, one has been a boycott of Rang De in theatres across Gujarat. But, this is no more than a minor damage – the concept of negative publicity is too deeply ingrained in the psyche of the Indian celebrity.

In general, the issue of star endorsement to a cause dose merit some thought. Does this actually give more weightage to the issue at hand? Do the authorities really start listening when a star comes in? More specifically, do people really turn vegetarian when John Abraham parades the ramp in skirt made of leaves? It would be difficult to give a general ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ as an answer. But, uncomfortable issues arise in some cases – the one being discussed is the best example. Arundhati Roy has put real poser for Khan by asking him to stop endorsing Coke (since opposition to this MNC is also a part of the protesters’ agenda). What will he do now? He says yes – and a revolution occurs in the celeb fraternity. He says no – and he is able to afford many more extravagances in the future (like his second wedding). But the point is – would the poor farmers, being displaced by the dam and with nowhere to go, be really benefited by any of these outcomes? Least likely.

There is neither any harm in superstars looking for image enhancement nor is it wrong for them to ooze feelings of a true Indian citizen, at the most opportune moment. But movements like Narmada Bachao Andolan go much beyond 35 mm. They have carved a niche for themselves, thanks to the efforts of individuals like Patkar. It takes more than guts to go for forms of protest like jal-samadhi or indefinite hunger strike. This is what inspires movies like Rang De Basanti, and not the other way round. Star endorsement is welcome, as long as the real issue is not diluted. So Aamir, I appeal to you as one of your greatest fans not to hijack this movement for your own ends. Just be……a little bit wise.