Actors often interact with fans on social media and allow them frequent peeks into their life.
They talk about their upcoming projects and movies along with sharing what is happening in their life, including images and videos of their families, loved ones and more.
However, there is a growing sense among celebrities to not just share such daily things, but also their political and social opinions.
Gone are the days when actors and actresses were expected to hide behind the cloak of political correctness. These days praise is given to those who speak out against the wrongs being done in our society.
One such actor who is an example of this would be Tamil actor Siddharth, who we also saw in the Bollywood movie Rang De Basanti. He recently criticised the trailer of upcoming movie ‘Thackeray’ starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui.
The actor raised his voice on how there was inappropriate language for South Indians in the trailer of the movie and it had an anti-South Indian mentality.
Apparently, this comes from a scene that is not there in the Hindi version of the trailer, where Siddiqui’s character of Bal Thackeray refers to South Indians as “saale yandugundu” and even utters the phrase “Uthao lungi, bajao pungi.”
In a Twitter rant on December 26th and 27th 2018, Siddharth said that,
https://twitter.com/Actor_Siddharth/status/1078126519908618240
https://twitter.com/Actor_Siddharth/status/1077981399926202369
https://twitter.com/Actor_Siddharth/status/1077980147251331073
There are a few reasons why we need more such actors who are not afraid to shed the diplomatic cloak and can speak bravely.
#1. An Intelligent Celebrity
Being socially and politically vocal about one’s opinions gives the impression that the celebrity is intelligent and not just a bimbo.
A lot of them have young audience who look up to them and copy what they do. Being open about their opinions on the society and what is happening around us will urge the audience too to take interest in those topics and do something about it.
#2. Awareness Created
By talking about such issues on one’s social media, they are making the general public also want to know about them.
Siddharth talked about the death of DMK leader M. Karunanidhi who passed away last year on 7th August.
https://twitter.com/Actor_Siddharth/status/1026828921600270336
Even those who do not know about the political situation of Tamil Nadu, would want to learn about it.
Celebrities do not understand the kind of influence they have and how they could use it to talk about the right issues, specifically beat the large scale unawareness of common people about local issues. s
In the US, after Donald Trump became President, I’ve observed a big leap of A-list celebrities talking about local politics, politicians, and creating a lot of awareness among their fans to vote for various elections, not always against Trump.
What it has done is create a more politically and socially aware population than perhaps keeps up with what bills are being passed, which politician is advocating for what policies etc. etc.
#3. Creates Healthy Discussion
Even recently, Rashmika Mandanna, a South Indian actress talked on her Twitter about doing a photoshoot highlighting the toxic Bangalore Lake Bellandur and how harmful it can be to normal people.
Along with that, stars like Deepika Padukone and more have talked about mental health issues.
This encourages healthy discussions about such topics.
So, what do you think? Do we need more such celebrities who will speak out when needed? Do we miss Bollywood stars being vocal about political and social wrongs?
Do let us know in the comments below.
Image Credits: Google Images
Sources: India Today, Firstpost
Find the blogger at: @chirali_08
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