Celebrities have such a huge influence on our lives that many actors have come to think of themselves as untouchable, perfect and irreproachable. In reality, they are only human beings who bleed when they are cut, to borrow a line from Shakespeare. Their arrogance has blinded them to the truth that they need to consume food to survive, which means they are not gods or demi-gods at all, for these “worshipped” film stars must also make use of the “facilities” like every other normal person.
It irks me when Indians refer to their idols as “sir” and “ma’am” when they contact them on their social media sites. Wouldn’t it be better to address them simply as “Mr” or “Ms”? Why do they need to be addressed with such extravagant respect? Have they solved world hunger? Have they shared their millions with those destitute and dying at their very doorstep? India is a land of awful contrasts, with filthy rich living right next to the filthy poor, who are invisible to them. And don’t get me started on the spoiled brats of Hollywood. They think they can dictate and command as if they are kings and queens when in reality they are nothing more than sacks of meat and bones. Yet they ill-treat people, throw tantrums like pampered babies and make demands as if their every whim must be catered to.
Don’t get me wrong; I know there are indeed film stars who are true humanitarians who donate large sums of money anonymously, who do these kind deeds not for recognition, but out of a sincere desire to give back to those less fortunate than themselves. My objection is not even to film stars per se; my gripe is with how “fans” adore and deify these people who more often than not are simply vain, conceited, unpleasant and arrogant bullies. Haven’t we all read the horror stories of stars who are revealed as anything but angelic? Haven’t we witnessed how stars who were seen as paragons of virtue were unmasked as rapists, molesters, cheats, drug addicts and other monsters?
What does it say about a world that worships film stars who are not at all who they portray on the silver screen, but ignores the true heroes who make a daily difference in people’s lives in their quiet, unassuming way? The teacher who goes that extra mile to ensure that a struggling student passes well; the kind person who makes an anonymous donation to a charity when he or she can hardly make ends meet, but he or she is compelled by their inner goodness and faith to help their fellow human beings; the volunteer workers in hospitals, at schools and churches, in community centers? Are they not the ones who truly deserve our adoration and respect?
Film stars live in a pretend world; it is only a tiny percentage of these erroneously lauded individuals who are true and genuine. Never worship or idolize another human being, for they can create nothing at all except deception.
Image: Felix Mooneeram (www.unsplash.com)
