When celebrities or for that matter any figure is surrounded with an image, a whole set of individuals benefit from it. When Che Guevara was tagged a rebel, he became the hero for all those countries that were struggling, and surely Castro benefited from him. But unlike Guevara, whose fate resided in sticking to his image and finally dying at the hands of capitalists, the new age celebs very well know how to dissociate themselves with the image. As for other individuals who are benefiting from it, when SRK was portrayed as a revolutionary, even people working in the industry had put up instagram stories showing common people dancing to his song, as if some song from Jawan was the new anti-authoratian tune, as if it was a pied piper hypnotizing people leading them to freedom. 🤣 (Though I personally don't feel the rule is authotarian, just quoting the language of people who are not satisfied with the gov). Then a new image was projected that with the love man SRK( spreading his message of eternal love ) would be the final nail in the coffin of Mr. Modi. But alas he won. I'm sure it wasn't only SRK but a lot many people who benefited by selling this persona. The only victim here are the NAIVE consumers who see their hopes shredded. The rest ALL, especially those who are accustomed to how politics and glamour, are using this mechanism to sell something.
Celebrityhood in the US and other western countries have been normalised to a large extent because people have other political ways to vent out their anger. Even the bureaucratic hellhole of the erstwhile Soviet Union was not much concerned with its subjects private life (freedom to choose whom to marry, what to eat, religion etc). This acted as a release valve for the total political opression. While in India we got the worst of both worlds (repressive political AND the private life) and the only source of release is these "entertainers" who keep on parroting appropriate agency trained lines and gets clicked at the airports. A 22 year Zomato delivery executive's only source of release is Allu Arjun's character in the Pushpa universe from the choking repression that begins at his family (from his parents especially) and keeps getting added like onion peel
Brilliant work. The philosopher Byung Chul Han has written very astutely in relation to a lot of things you mentioned. I recently started to read him. Do check him out if you'd life, I think you'll really like him. Cheers!
It is a freudian need to look for the icons to fulfill the societal obligations, the space community should build for itself is seeked through these people but, as well put above it is the whole machinary which is at stake and not only the particular individual.
When celebrities or for that matter any figure is surrounded with an image, a whole set of individuals benefit from it. When Che Guevara was tagged a rebel, he became the hero for all those countries that were struggling, and surely Castro benefited from him. But unlike Guevara, whose fate resided in sticking to his image and finally dying at the hands of capitalists, the new age celebs very well know how to dissociate themselves with the image. As for other individuals who are benefiting from it, when SRK was portrayed as a revolutionary, even people working in the industry had put up instagram stories showing common people dancing to his song, as if some song from Jawan was the new anti-authoratian tune, as if it was a pied piper hypnotizing people leading them to freedom. 🤣 (Though I personally don't feel the rule is authotarian, just quoting the language of people who are not satisfied with the gov). Then a new image was projected that with the love man SRK( spreading his message of eternal love ) would be the final nail in the coffin of Mr. Modi. But alas he won. I'm sure it wasn't only SRK but a lot many people who benefited by selling this persona. The only victim here are the NAIVE consumers who see their hopes shredded. The rest ALL, especially those who are accustomed to how politics and glamour, are using this mechanism to sell something.
Very well put 💯
Celebrityhood in the US and other western countries have been normalised to a large extent because people have other political ways to vent out their anger. Even the bureaucratic hellhole of the erstwhile Soviet Union was not much concerned with its subjects private life (freedom to choose whom to marry, what to eat, religion etc). This acted as a release valve for the total political opression. While in India we got the worst of both worlds (repressive political AND the private life) and the only source of release is these "entertainers" who keep on parroting appropriate agency trained lines and gets clicked at the airports. A 22 year Zomato delivery executive's only source of release is Allu Arjun's character in the Pushpa universe from the choking repression that begins at his family (from his parents especially) and keeps getting added like onion peel
💯
Bro, write an essay daily. You’ve written really well, it was a pleasure to read.
I’ll try to be more regular. Thanks for encouragement.
Excellent 🤌. Meanwhile Mc stan be like Dekh kaise chalata mein dio ghar tak 😂
Such an insightful observation, and beautifully articulated.
Thanks a lot!
Brilliant work. The philosopher Byung Chul Han has written very astutely in relation to a lot of things you mentioned. I recently started to read him. Do check him out if you'd life, I think you'll really like him. Cheers!
Thanks for recco. I'll check out Byung Chul's work soon!
Very creatively written and your reference game is top-notch Anurag bhai.
Thanks a lot :)
It is a freudian need to look for the icons to fulfill the societal obligations, the space community should build for itself is seeked through these people but, as well put above it is the whole machinary which is at stake and not only the particular individual.
Great essay. It captures the complications and confusions of celebrityhood and the craving and aspirations around it.
Thanks!! 🙏
MC Stan FTW
Perfect philosopher to end the article with.