Media coverage and frenzy of the fans seen for last 1 month during Court Judgement,arrest, their stay in jail and finally release on Bail and homecoming in the case of Sanju and Salman, makes me wonder what makes Film Stars such a celebrity. Their fans are from across the Class and Caste, Religion and Social Status, Industrialists & Politicians to Dons.Highly trained professionals to humble daily wage earner. Its not Bachchan or Khans, even chhota mota filmstars/TV actors,Anchors, item girls with 2 dances to their credit and even 'Kallumama ' has fan following. Anyone working as an actor in Film or TV becomes famous and has fan following. Sometimes it is short lived-from few months to few years- but for other Lambe Race ka Ghodas, it is lifelong. They even get elected defeating political leaders with years of experience in Politics. If Amitabh or Shahrukh were to stand in an election against even Soniaji and Rahulbaba, no one will predict the outcome. Unfortunately many of them are petty,megalomaniacs with inflated egos and self worth. Uneducated,ill mannered, uncouth and habitually they throw their weight around. In a Public functions they are given more importance as guest then performer or person in whose honor the function is being held.
I fail to understand why this particular community -Actors-are given such a high celebrity status. Directors,Music Directors,Writers,and all other professionally connected/Creative people don't find even mention in Media and are virtually unrecognized. Is it something to do with our inability to come to terms with and accept concept of 'Film',where you can see a person doing everyday things on screen?. Is that the reason for amazing success of 'You Tube' and hundreds of clips-many absolutely useless and bad- it receives daily. It is excellent subject for research.
Similar to this is our fascination about Aeroplanes and Flying. Most of us would look up to see a plane when we hear their Engine sound. Few years ago when 'Air Deccan' came out with Tickets in Rs. 500/- ,my car driver wanted to fly in plane. He wouldn't believe that flying in plane is one of the most boring experience. Pilots are held in very high esteem. I can understand about Fighter Pilots but Commercial Airlines Pilots receive so much help from technology that flying in most of the cases is made simple and safe. Compared to them Drivers of ST/BEST and Blue Line buses have real difficult task. Is it that after 100 yrs we have still not come to terms with and accept that we/Machine can fly.--PK.