....and all that jazZ

Tuesday, August 19, 2003

Calling on Heroes


Okay let me clarify, this post is not about Salman Khan or for that matter any celebrity in particular. Anyways the thought process got triggered when I read that Salmans new movie has generated a huge opening largely out of curiosity and sympathy and what not for the "hero" who has been in public eye recently for all the wrong reasons. It amazes me the kind of control "Stars" have upon masses. It would be wrong to say that it is only in India. Whether its Beckham or Oberoi they all have immense mass appeal and hence wield a power in society, whether they like it or not, whether they want it or not. It is the power to possibly call upon people and make them listen to what they have to say. And in cases where the address the impressionable youth, they have the power to bring about a revolution of sorts. It could be a fashion revolution or a revolution of a lifestyle. But they can do it. So that is why it becomes increasingly important that their public front be in a way irreproachable. After all they are Heroes!!! Filmstars, Sport stars, Music stars and yes most importantly Political stars.
But then more often than not, its not what we see. Promiscous lifestyles, Drug and Alcohol abuse, Irresponsible social and civic behaviour etc etc bring them with a big thud, from the skies, to right where they belong, among us ordinary mortals, on earth. Some blame it on the money gone to the head and some on these being quirks of being a genius, miserable childhood and a variety of other things. But hey after all to err is human. Though what makes their error magnify is the simple fact that they are on the other side of the lenses. Thousands of people make the same folly but dont make front page headlines when they do. People always need someone they can look up to, mould themselves after. Sometimes they find it inside their homes and minds sometimes they make demigods out of other people and put them on pedestals and then being human is not excuse enough.
We, the educated like to believe that we are above this, but find me person who does not even for fun sake glance through Page3 Bombay times. Its there because it sells. Because you and I want to pry into a life thats not ours. We want perfect heroes and are unforgiving of those who let us down. "With great power comes great responsibility" is something our "heroes" cannot afford to forget. But "To err is human" is something we ought not to forget.

ON the same train of thought lyrics from one of my fav songs "Superman" by Five for Fighting

..........It may sound absurd:but don't be naive
Even Heroes have the right to bleed
I may be disturbed:but won't you conceed
Even Heroes have the right to dream
It's not easy to be me


But Would I accept any less than a perfect Superman ???? Doesnt the name just say it all :) !!!!!

2 Comments:

  • thats the price you have to pay for stardom....

    Originally @ Aug 20, 2003 13:22 PST

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 3:57 PM  

  • Ah....how the great minds think alike! I nod :)

    -- Akshaya

    Originally @ Jun 04, 2005 01:04 PST

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 3:57 PM  

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