Perils of Bollywood

Manish Kapoor.

The Hindi film industry of Bollywood has been a long most sought after career point for creative artists. To present one’s skill on the silver screen has been a long-cherished dream for millions of Indians. People in India are crazy for Bollywood stars. Indians love to talk about films, Bollywood stars and gossips which are floated by the PR agencies.

Lakhs and Lakhs of youth try their luck to get an entry in the film studios but only a hand full of talent get the success to get some work. This has been a regular trend in the Bollywood film industry for a long time now. Established actors and actresses resist working with new entrants. Incompetent Star kids are given preference over talented outsiders. This trend has been there in the film industry for a long time now.

Recent turmoil in the Hindi film industry is showing that the situation is grave. The Indian media is now focusing on all the minute to minute happenings as it is the epicenter of all troubles in India. The sudden burst of corona cases in Mumbai has put the entire nation at a standstill. For big news channels, this was not enough. Now Perils of Bollywood has become the most rising issue.    

Event:

The Bollywood industry was always in a state of silent unease till 14th June 2020. Early morning on the D day news break of actor Sushant Rajput found hanging in his bedroom spread like wildfire. Almost immediate questions were raised that a successful actor cannot commit suicide and that this case is that of a homicide. Fans of demised Sushant Rajput started protesting through social media and staged platforms. The Indian media saw an opportunity in this and started giving a minute to the minute news update. The death of Sushant’s secretary Disha Salian which happened just a few days before on the 8th of June also came to the limelight. Two deaths, both happening in almost a similar fashion (Mumbai police termed both the deaths as a suicide at the first instant). Thus the Pandora’s Box is now wide opened. Many personalities took to social media platforms to express their concern or rather giving a clear indication of which side they are in. By-elections in many states like Bihar and Madhya Pradesh are round the corner. In the death of Sushant Rajput, the politics in Bihar has primarily seemed to have been manipulated. Meanwhile, the investigative agency has made quick moves so has the AIIMS team which has now clearly mentioned that the death of actor Sushant Rajput has been due to suicide and this is not a case of homicide. The CBI has also confirmed it and the prime accused Rea Chakraborty, Sushant’s girlfriend has been given bail. But the issue of drugs being used by artists in the Bollywood film industry is not going to subdue so fast.

Comments:

“ We as humans have very fickle memory, these days people have lot of time to think and react on social media as if, as they own the world.. but till the time corona ends, it will all be a thing of the past… Their daily life will overtake all dramatic emotions which governed their logical minds during Corona and It will settle down to be business as usual…”

“Nepotism, suicide, drugs, crazy journalism, religious fanatism, battered economy, will be sidelined with respect to the daily survival of a common man.” Says Filmmaker Vibhu Kashyap.

“In recent days Bollywood personalities are in news due to different reasons. During corona days we have witnessed the emergence of a new league of leaders like Sonu Sood, Akshay Kumar and many more. But then suddenly turn took place with the other side of the plate, after sad, sudden and suspicious demise of emerging superstar Sushant Singh Rajpoot. Suddenly social media flooded with speculation and allegations that Sushant’s death was not suicide but a well-planned murder and even if it is suicide it was forced by Bigwigs of Bollywood. Reckless handling of sensitivities of people by police, as usual, also add fuel to fire. A CBI inquiry has been ordered now and lets us see what turns up in the conclusion. In all this debate two old demerits of Bollywood came to the fore I.e.Nepotism and Drugs Addiction. Both are not new allegations but this time they came with force. Nepotism – It can be traced back Prithviraj Kapoor to Raj Kapoor, Sunil Dutt, Rajendra Kumar and many more whoever launched their wards to Bollywood particularly in the role of Hero and Heroins. Don’t forget it was we, who have shown keen interest in knowing names, pics and lifestyles of stat kids, this curiosity of crowd cashed by their Fathers and relatives. But all so launched star kids not always turn out to be successful, some of them have miserably flopped as well. Remember all three Super Star of Bollywood i.e Dilip Kumar, Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan and even semi superstar like Salam and Shahrukh Khan do not hail from filmi families but it is true often get a role without a struggle.

It is this phenomenon which pinches most of the people who are struggling hard to get even a meager role. But with the emergence of Tele serials and OTT platform, this problem is waning away. Drugs Addiction- All over the world film personalities, even in Hollywood are notorious for drug intake. Many of them have to go even prison for possession and consumption of drugs. Bollywood also witnesses a case of this type with a typical example of Sanjay Dutt. But this time media, people, police and NCB are in no mood to let it go in the name of chalta hai. NCB is interrogating those involved in its consumption and supply. I believe guilty will be brought to book soon. But in all these discourses image of Bollywood has tarnished greatly. as an industry oblivious to Indian culture and sentiments. A boycott campaign by the people is in full swing to vent the spleen. I hope this phase will be over in the coming day. and we will witness a new Bollywood, more Professional, independent, vibrant and will a level playing field for both insider and outsider to film families. It is testing time for Bollywood. I wish, I pray everything is OK. All is well if it ends well.” Says Actor Navneet Srivastav

“People should keep themselves away from addiction. Taking drugs is obviously wrong, but the individual is himself weak therefore they consume drugs.” Says Director Rakesh Shrivastav.

(The writer is a successful actor. Has performed in many films.)