Bollywood fans

Without pointing any fingers, I would like to discuss why many of the Bollywood fans take things said or done to their favorite stars so personally. I think all of you agree that the celebrities are no Gods, so they are going to make mistakes which probably are subject to criticism, thats the baggage that comes with being a celebrity. But what I don't understand is why do fans take it so personally. Why can't they distinguish between the fact that what they like is their acting, their screen presence and sadly they can neither deny nor control what celebrities do off the screen. Why they worship them like Gods and take to task those who try to bring their faults to light.?

I will just give a couple of examples, not with the intent of bashing anyone.

- Salman Khan did drunken driving and killed homeless. He also hunted down black buck which is an endangered species. Now fans coming up with justifications to cover him up or starting petitions to free him from jail does not make any sense to me. If he is at fault, he must be punished. Just because he is a great star does not mean he can be let go.

- Similarily for Sanjay Dutt. I loved him in the Munnabhai. He is great as an actor, but if he did something bad enough to deserve a jail time, he must. Being a good actor cannot act as his shield to get away with illegal activities. I like his acting but as a human being, I don't know. I haven't met him, I haven't interacted with him, how do I know? Let law decide that. Bringing petitions to free him is totally lame.

Why do fans try to idolize these celebrities and try to prove to the whole world that the person is a God? Is it some kind of insecurity in a person that one tries to cover up by doing this or is there some other reason?

if abhishek did something wrong and killed people. he would totally not be my idol 😆 😉

That's why they are called "fan(atic)s" 😛 and they start "terrorising" anyone who doesn't like their "idol". 😆

I am a massive Bollywood fan. I have grown up on Bollywood movies and have my favorites and Idols. I cannot speak for everyone else but I can express my perspective.

In a sense I am biased towards celebrities I like. Since I am a fan of Shahrukh, I do get defensive when people are highly critical. At the same time I do not think I am irrational or obsessive. I do not consider him a God or infallible being of any sort. Even though I can be biased, I also have the ability to accept his flaws. For example I do admit he has done monotonous roles and is guilty of overacting. His constant smoking in public eye also irks me. But in the end he is human, he is flawed and I accept flaws to a certain extent.

Human is the key. No matter how famous someone gets they are human and should be treated as such. Coming to the case of Salman and Sanjay the opposite also holds true - If the law cannot show them privileges the law should not be exaggerated for celebrities either.

When it comes to their trials the media has over hyped and over-exaggerated many aspects. If an ordinary person had a drunk driving kill or shot an endangered species no one would care. They will be tried by the law. On the contrary based on the corrupt system the one with most influence 'monetary' or 'social' would get away with less. Salman on the other hand has the eye of the nation on him. While fans petition to set him free, there is the other extreme of people who want him sentenced to death for murder.

Murder requires motive and intent, just because someone was killed does not mean murder. Reckless endangerment and negligent homicide are a class of crime on their own and there is a good number of people who want Salman's case to be murder instead of the others.

Relating to the case of shooting a Black Buck The Wildlife protection act of 1972 states

"Provided that where the offence committed is in relation to any animal specified in Scheduled I or Part 11 of Sch. 11, or meat of any such animal, animal article, trophy, or uncurled trophy derived from such animal or where offence relates to hunting in, ox, altering the boundaries of a sanctuary or a National Park, such offence shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than [one year but may extend to six years and also with fine which shall not be less than five thousand rupees."

Most people convicted of the crime have never faced a conviction of more than a year or two. Salman Khan's five year conviction was a landmark precedent set not by his actual crime but sheet public awareness and pressure, which is quite unfair as the law is being harsher on him for being a celebrity.

Also a citizen has the ability to serve sentences in spread out terms as well as get pardon, reduction and parole for good behavior.

While I fully agree he needs to be punished for the driving incident as well as the shooting of an black buck to the full extent of the law. At the same time he deserves to be treated like a citizen under trial without a media circus, allegations and exaggerations. He should also be eligible for citizen rights.

As for Sanjay Dutt's case when the matter was first being investigated he was in Mauritius. If he was guilty he had an open opportunity to flee the law and several opportunities thereafter to flee and enter a country with no extradition. He was in enough power and capacity to do so. The evidence against Sanjay was circumstantial and his confession to possession of illegal arms was a major factor. As his lawyer pointed out no arms were actually recovered from him. His current term is result of one spiteful mans resentment against his case. Had Sanjay been an ordinary man Altekar would have not even known about his case. Upon the 2007 trial the courts have developed a reverse attitude being harsher with probations and bails.

Just like Salman, Sanjay should definitely serve sentence for the charge that is proven posession of illegal arms. As for the conspiracy and terrorism charges there is no proof beyond reasonable doubt and is not everyone entitled to 'innocent until proven guilty'. So why assume guilt because he is a celebrity.

I am against people idolizing celebrities or worshiping them. I also find it foolhardy of fans to do things without being informed. I also find it irrational of people who want harsher treatment beyond word of law.

Ultimately as Abraham Lincoln said 'If half the people think you have done too much and half the people think you have done too little then you have done just right'. I feel the law is doing reasonably ok.

Originally posted by: Theatre

if abhishek did something wrong and killed people. he would totally not be my idol 😆 😉

Ok so abhishek is "your" idol.... ok I thought this wasnt so prevalent... 😆😆

Originally posted by: return_to_hades

I am a massive Bollywood fan. I have grown up on Bollywood movies and have my favorites and Idols. I cannot speak for everyone else but I can express my perspective.

Thats actually original.. Was it for breakfast, lunch or dinner or all of them ?

😆😆

Originally posted by: qwertyesque

Thats actually original.. Was it for breakfast, lunch or dinner or all of them ?

😆😆

All and u missed tea time.

Originally posted by: qwertyesque

Thats actually original.. Was it for breakfast, lunch or dinner or all of them ?

😆😆

Hades and I have something... I too grew up on Bollywood. Hrithik for breakfast, Salman for lunch, Vivek for dinner and SRK for dessert 😉 😆

On a serious note.... Madhuri for chai and Kajol for mid morning snack 😆

No no, seriously .. I concur with much of what Hades has said. If I were to differ it would only be on the point of obsession. My fascination with Bollywood (and all things Bollywood) may very well be characterized as obsessive - I can hardly wait for the next release, I critique what I see (especially if I dont' enjoy it 😆), I adore the dances and have secret fantasies of running away and joining Shiamak Dawar's school of dance 😉 😳
When it comes to the Actors, I wouldn't call it obsession, but extreme fanaticism. For example, I am an ardent fan of SRK's and I do flinch, cringe and get riled up when he's criticized by others. By the same token, I'm very much critical of other actors. However, I like to base my words on the acting and technical points. It annoys me when others make biased remarks intsead then. Of course, mere emotional lagaav bhi hai SRK ke saath - I fancy myself in love with him 😉 But I admire him beyond his profession. I aknowledge his flaws but also appreciate his ideas, what he has to say and certain aspects of his view on life.

So in all of that...I've forgotten the original question, but I hope I addressed some points pertaining to the general concept. 😳

Originally posted by: simtara

Hades and I have something... I too grew up on Bollywood. Hrithik for breakfast, Salman for lunch, Vivek for dinner and SRK for dessert 😉 😆

I was under the impression that you feasted on SRK 24/7😉😆

Originally posted by: SholaJoBhadkey

I was under the impression that you feasted on SRK 24/7😉😆

Sim Hema is not going to be happy hearing this 😆