Bollywood, one of the biggest and lavishing film industries in the world, is known for adjusting itself as per the popular sentiment. And there is nothing wrong in reciprocating that sentiment until you start playing with them.
There is a movie on the brink of release named “The Sabarmati Report”. And like every other production team, actor Vikrant Massey is also appearing on various platforms promoting the film.
Once a hard-core critic, Massey has now softened his tone and is expressing a change of heart. Recently, appearing on a podcast with journalist Sushant Sinha he emphasized that, for the first time in decades, Hindus in India now have the freedom to take pride in their faith and cultural roots.
During the podcast, he remarked, “We should remember that India is still a young nation, with only 76-77 years since independence. After enduring centuries of oppression under the Mughals, Dutch, French, and British, we gained what is called ‘Azadi,’ but was it genuine independence? We continued to live in the shadow of colonial influences they left behind. I believe that now, for the first time, Hindus have the opportunity to assert their identity within their own country. Often, we overlook the significance of identity and sentiment. Some of history’s largest wars have been driven by sentiment, and many of our personal choices are shaped by how we feel.”
The actor also opened up regarding contemporary development and social environment. In a conversation with Journalist Shubhankar Mishra on his podcast, Unplugged, Vikrant Massey shared his observations from traveling through India’s remote areas, where he has witnessed significant positive changes over recent years.
He even said that he believes that no community is under threat in this country. Well, it has been the case since the beginning but he has seen it now. By going through his old statements and comparing them with the above will tell that he has taken a complete 180 degrees. He was the one who shared a cartoon depicting a conversation between Ma Sita and Bhagwan Ram, in which Sita said, “I am so glad that I was kidnapped by Ravan and not by your Bhakts!” He shared it with a caption, “Half-baked potatoes and half-baked nationalists will only cause a pain in the gut”.
Going by the caption of the derogatory post, it is hard to trust staunch Bollywood ‘activist’ could have changed his views based on his travel experiences unless there emerges an innate urge to appease these “Bhakts” to watch his movies. And for once, if we believe that he has changed why he didn’t use those platforms to apologise, to begin with?
Moreover, the prime question is why give much importance to his statements when we do not know that while making another movie in the future, he will once again travel across India and see a different country that will make him take another 180 degree turns to return to square one. After all, a lot of Bollywood ‘celebs’ including Massey are notorious for their wokiest agenda.
Narrating the reality of Godhara is, undoubtedly the most important duty for any actor who believes in a righteous and just society but this seemingly PR-driven’ u-turn must not be entertained as this is not their real manifestation, rather it is a PR directive that they follow to attract an audience they need for time being.
There are many such cases where celebrities had no idea about the issue but they give their not-so-expert opinion only to draw the attention of a particular segment of people as asked by their PR managers.
Some of these examples include Deepika Padukone’s participation in JNU protests, celebrities like Varun Dhawan and others posting similar “All Eyes of Gaza” posts within minutes and Farhan Akhtar vigorously supporting anti-CAA protests only because people were protesting and he had no idea.
At last, it must be understood in the majority of cases these “Bollywood” celebrities have no mind of their own, they just play with people’s sentiments for their financial gains. To say the least, every Indian must ask themselves what even makes celebrities’ opinions at par with theirs. In fact, their opinion is as casual as anyone’s in India and carries no extra weightage.
