PACHU MENON
The recent saffron upsurge that has had a number of film stars, singers and sports personalities donning the party colours with a monotonous regularity is not all that surprising. It is said that popularity in their fields of achievement has always endeared such performers to the public. But it has been the world of cinema and the field of sports that has afforded these achievers the celebrity status that comes so easily with the admiration for their stellar performances.
With a fan-following that is phenomenal, these stars have been able to shape public opinion on various issues whenever they have come to the forefront of any agitation. Considering that, in the course of the last couple of years it has not been unusual to have celebrities taking the political plunge in India, one can’t but lament the fact that Goa has somehow lacked the necessary impetus to raise its own brand of superstar celebrities who could swing public opinion on issues of local concern.
The Konkani film industry is yet in its nascent stage to have had any really significant effect on the masses. As an extremely powerful medium for socio-political change though, Tiatr has been playing a vital role in shaping an effective response from the locals whenever the region has been gripped in the throes of violent turbulence either due to political exigencies or when confronted by issues which have far-flung implications on the environment. Yet…the South has always been smitten by the larger-than-life personas of its tinsel-town heroes and heroines. But unlike MGR, NTR and Jayalalitha, to name a few, no other matinee-idol has ever been able to capture the imagination of the masses when it came to acceptance as representatives of the people in the high seats of power.
However, their immense ‘cinematic’ popularity apart, the mantle of leadership that these doyens of the film industry assumed on gaining power enabled them to transform their respective regions into epitomes of development and good governance. As leaders fulfilling the aspirations of their people, their tenure at the top, though characterized by political astuteness, was eclipsed by the will to serve the people, especially the poor and needy.
The slew of economic and social reforms ushered in during their times saw them gain a demi-God and Goddess status among the people. Political rivalries which saw charges of corruption being piled on them by their critics hardly bothered the masses who continued to repose their faith in the leadership qualities of their ‘chosen ones’. Yet, the manner in which their political ‘kingdoms’ collapsed immediately after their demise say a lot for the psyche of the people who found it difficult to accept their successors who tried to carry forward their legacy in the same mould.
Consider the deluge of superstars that has made contests in the political arena a worthwhile pastime over the past few elections in the country. Olympian Colonel Rajyavardhan Rathore’s foray into politics after docking his uniform did come as a surprise! But an eventful first round that saw him learning the ropes as a minster gave him the necessary impetus to further his political career. However, despite retaining his seat convincingly, it is difficult to gauge why Rathore has failed to make the cut. The ‘dream-girl’ and her dream-run in the back-to-back elections established her credentials as a politician of substance which, along with the glamour quotient, affords Hema Malini an enviable stature in the political landscape of the country. But by and large, it is ‘Tulsi’ and her giant-killing ways that has endeared Smithi Irani to the Indian public. While there is no doubting her political acumen, it has been her grit and determination that brackets her with the best in the business. The transition from the drawing room to the big-bad-world of politics has in this respect been complete for the “Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi” starlet! Instances of film stars from Bollywood, Kollywood and Tollywood making a mark for themselves in Indian politics have not been rare. Some have even gone on to epitomize the virtues of leadership carrying along with them the very aspirations of the region they represent.
It is however the BJP which has revolutionized the concept of adding glamour to an otherwise dull panorama which has power struggles and such related issues lending it an ambivalent hue. The victory-margins of Gautam Gambhir and Sunny Deol in the 2019 elections have however been a revelation of sorts for the common man. For the astute though it has been a matter of the electorate going with the tide to elect any and everyone who decided to hitch along with the NAMO bandwagon. But it is indeed perplexing to have the voters readily endorsing candidates propped by the ‘in-form’ alliance without ever going into prerequisites that goes into the making of good law-makers. It is not that the country is not blessed with a ‘thinking’ public! Selecting representatives who have it in them to bring about commendable changes in the socio-economic scenario in the region, the public should always maintain its own preferences when it comes to choosing between ‘reel’ and ‘real’ life. One needs to remember that it has always been ‘performance’ that has mattered the most when it comes to reviewing the ‘report card’ of the respective members when they approach the public for another term of office.
Hence it becomes confusing to understand the current trend in modern politics where glamour and the entertainment measure of celebrities are making them the most sought after. Let us just turn our attention to the Upper House! Almost always, it has been filmstars and sports luminaries who have had the privilege to grace the August House as a nominated member. But while news reports about cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar’s lengthy periods of absence from the Rajya Sabha has been consternating, glamour-lady Rekha’s mute silence in her five years in the Upper House has thrown open discussions about the irrelevance of such nominations. It hence becomes pertinent to have individuals who will ensure that as members of the supreme legislative body of the Republic of India, the sanctity of the Parliament is always
upheld.
Although there is nothing glamorous about the journey from being a pin-up star to a scheming politician, those enjoying these rare honours should remember that we are in an era of performances! The nation does not require celebrity politicians who are seasonal adornments!
