Aamir Khan’s ambitious Lal Singh Chaddha will soon hit the theatres, but the film may get a cold response from the audience for the controversy attached to Aamir. This is due to a section quoting his 2015 speech where the actor candidly confessed about rising intolerance in the country and of prospects of settling abroad. It’s stoking popular reactions and resentments amongst a few.
I don’t understand why a trend on social media handles, hashtags, and platforms is brewing up over the last few years, trolling and praising actors and celebrities for their political opinions and positions, deciding on which side of the fence they’re on.
Nobody bothered for Kashmir Files and Prithviraj, which were purely and solely propaganda films. We refuse to appreciate and acknowledge the commitment and dedication of our stars trying to tone and train themselves up in an industry where more than the competition, how you conduct yourself with the masses is important.
Aamir has been a hit, from Taare Zameen Par to Three Idiots, and has been at par with most of his contemporaries in pursuing and persuading public emotions, feelings and sentiments – something natural for him as late Irrfan Khan. Who knows if Aamir picked up a line or two from there, considering Irrfan’s persona and perfection? Aamir is brilliant for his humility and humour, connecting the dots and getting him what he would deserve and desire at the first instance.
The malicious attempts to boycott Lal Singh Chaddha is totally unbecoming of our audience exposed to political manipulations and provocations largely unheard of before. Who should be pinned for this, if at all, for our consciousness viewing everything in black and white?