Salman Khan in yet another controversy... not exactly news, right?
Salman Khan spoke about 26/11, again not a news, since almost every star spoke about it. But why did it cause such a political turmoil in our natioin? Is it because after Dabangg Salman is a big star he should say things in a better way, or is it because we are still deeply affected by 26/11, and mere mention of the fateful day, kind of bring back the nightmares? Its tough to answer the question, but I will try to.
First on Sept 11. Dabangg Khan, Salman Khan says to a Pakistani News channel that the attacks of 26/11 got so much of coverage only because it was an attack on the elites of the nation, else with so many people dying due to bomb blasts in tarins and markets, and coverage is never half as much.
The interview got instant flak from left right and center, with all powerful leaders from Congress and Shiv Sena started voicing their ire at Salman. Not only that news channels picked the report and added their sound byte to it. Aaj Tak being the most brutal of all.
Aajtak reports
Salman must have never expected this kind of storm, and must have been truly taken aback. Salman and his family were quick to come to his rescue, when apologies went flying from his father and Salman himself
Not only that even (in)famous Raj Thackeray came to his rescue, reason given was since he was invited at Dabangg screening, and they have had relations in the past Source
The whole controversy has gotten so big that heres what Salman had to tweet at 3:00 AM IST
BeingSalmanKhan
Looks like I mite hv to get off twitter. Don't want to but wat to do? I think I messed up,so sorry guys,$sorry bolne mein koi sharam nahi
Is it celebrity tagetting? Is it because celebs talk a lot? It happened because Salman tried to woo Paki junta? Was there any truth behind Salman's comment?
Views and comments are welcome.
I will watch all the videos and give an informed opinion later. But for now I was thinking if Salman leaves twitter, can Faridoon use that in his arsenal? :P He has been making people sign a petition to remove negativity and hatred from twitter towards celebs like himself. Imran Khan and his mammu were already there. Will Dabangg be next?
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of issues here, for one, we are a celebrity crazy nation, thats why we give a lot of weight to actors' opinion, which we probably shouldn't. Having said that, I can totally see why it creates such a fuss.
ReplyDeleteFor one, Mumbai attacks were pretty horrific, it was not so much about the attack, but the way they were done. It was like a real attack on the nation, enemy comes from the border, from sea, and walks in to the hotel while firing AK47s on streets. It was like an army attack, not just any other act of terrorism.
One more reason was that foreigners were attacked, not just elite, thats why world took notice that we can say, but was it "hyped" in Indian media because elite was attacked, I don't think so. If Salman just watches Foxx or CNN, then he might feel like that, but i think coverage of almost every terrorist attack is as extensive, only difference is that I don't think any military operation lasted for that.
Also what create doubts on mind is that since he was talking to a Pakistani journo, at the time of his movie release, it doesn't sound that "copacetic". It happened 2 years ago now, why just now he realized that? Why he never said that to an Indian journo in last 2 years? I have no issues in someone speaking out his views, thats the corner stone of democracy, but then if the motive is just to promote their product, tahts cheap publicity, and actors/celebs must take care while mouthing anything stupid just for petty gains. One market of Pakistan, probably one Mumbai can give you more than that, Dabangg Khan. If its just market he wanted, he should have focussed better.
Funny Part is Dabangg is not releasing in Pakistan as they banned Indian movies in EID.
ReplyDeleteNow that I saw the interview, Salman's comments don't sound as obnoxious as they sounded earlier. All stars tend to walk the link between pleasing Indian and Pakistani audiences but even without that, what he says about security failing us on 26/11 is correct. Later on in the interview, he also says he has no problem with being racially profiled at international airports because it increased their security; they have not had another 9/11 type terrorist attack because of their strict policies. There will always be new terrorists being produced like clockwork and sometimes just lunatics wanting to cause trouble and not necessarily even attached to any terrorist outfits. It's necessary to upgrade security to prevent more debacles.
ReplyDeleteIt was clumsy for him to state that 26/11 got more coverage because it happened to the elite. He could have easily said other terrorist attacks need MORE coverage instead and nobody would have minded. I still think it's a failure in his language and communication and not his thoughts.
I think the politicians found an easy target in a celebrity to get some publicity mileage here as usual.
With that said, a lot of trouble would be prevented if celebs stopped talking about things on which they are not so well-informed. These political issues are hot-button and anything can be twisted to be made offensive for various groups of people.
^^However, I do agree he should not have been talking to Pakistani television about this. It seems too much like mollycoddling even if that was not the intent. It was stated at the start of the interview this was Salman's very first interview with a Pakistani journalist so I am not surprised at all he was asked these questions.
ReplyDeleteThe political climate is too sensitive to get into these issues especially with a Pakistani channel looking to get some complimentary soundbites out of a celebrity in their favor.
Considering there is widespread evidence of Pakistan being responsible for training, funding and harboring terrorists, Salman's most inappropriate comment was NOT the one the media keeps reporting about 26/11 coverage being high because elites were involved. It is his statement that "everyone knows" Pakistan was not involved in the attack. However, he is not the only one busy trying to play overly-liberal. Half the Indian media or maybe even more refuses to point any finger at Pakistan even with so much evidence against them.
Yes he should just not talk about these things. I think Salim Khan took a good class of him last night, and he will be off Twitter too.
ReplyDeleteWell, I agree with Doga and Nia, nothing really sounded that bad in the interview as bad Aaj Tak made it out to be. They just exaggerated the whole issue and got themselves higher TRP because of Salman.
ReplyDeleteI can imagine that while giving interview to Pakistan he is supposed to be polite to them, blaming them for anything wouldn't actually be a nice thing to do, spl while talking to common people. If anything its its Govt of Pakistan who should be blamed, not people of Pakistan.
I think the whole screwed up thing was timing of the interview. It makes it sound like a publicity campaign.
Anyhow, democracy gives a right to speak to every, even Salman Khan, just because he is a celeb, doesn't make any sense that he needs to keep his mouth shut. He can speak his mind out, if thats what he thinks, its ok.
As Nia said, no celeb or "secular" person of India blames Pakistan, be it SRK, Aamir or Salman, they all try to issue crowd pleasing statements that Pakistan can not be blamed, they themselves are a victim. But then how can we just blame them when our home mister coins the terms like Hindu terrorism just to please minority.
Kunal - Now you are putting ghee in fire :)
ReplyDeleteHahahaha KB, don't you want to put some? But I think I should be careful, Dussehra is near, aisa na ho ki yeh aag mujhpe hi laga de koi Raavan samajh ke :D
ReplyDelete