The Big Picture

Celebrites are not obligated to do social work. Just like every other citizen of this country,they do it because they feel strongly about a cause, said actor Imran Khan...

Celebrities say that supporting causes is not all about generating publicity

Celebrites are not obligated to do social work. Just like every other citizen of this country,they do it because they feel strongly about a cause, said actor Imran Khan,the new heartthrob in Bollywood,setting the tone for the Screen Big Picture debate held in Mumbai this Wednesday. Khan and other socially-conscious celebrities – actors Gul Panag and Diya Mirza,filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani and news anchor Radhika Bajaj – got together with Screen editor Priyanka Sinha to discuss Celebrity Social Responsibility,with Sinha setting the ball rolling by asking,Is celebrity social responsibility merely lip service,or do celebrities walk the talk?

Decrying the cynicism that greets celebrities when they attach themselves to a cause,Khan said that the problem arises because people believe that well-known faces only do it for the publicity they garner. While Mirza agreed with the sentiment,she added that causes gain a lot out of the association as well,because of the initial attention generated by having a well-known face support them. However,she added,Compared to celebrities abroad,Indian celebrities dont do enough. But the fault also lies with the government for not giving us platforms to do enough.

To this,Hirani pointed out that the onus for properly using the leverage a celebrity brings them also lies with the organisation using them: NGOs should do more than just ask celebrities to lend their name,they should know how to take the relationship forward fruitfully. Bajaj summed it up by saying that a balance had to be maintained. The relationship between a cause and a celebrity is symbiotic. It turns parasitic when the celebrity gains more out of it than the cause. That has to be prevented.

The debate took an interesting turn when the link between social and political responsibility was discussed. Referring to actor Aamir Khans face-off with the Gujarat government on the Narmada dam rehabilitation issue,Panag pointed out that while people expect celebrities to take on social responsibilities,political statements are frowned upon. Indian celebrities are expected to be politically correct at all times. The problem is that were just not used to celebrities making political statements,when in fact,that goes hand-in-hand with social awareness.

The panellists unanimously agreed that change has to come from the grassroots. Khan pointed out,A person may watch a video that encourages people to go out and vote,but ultimately,that person will exercise his right to vote only if he feels deeply motivated to do so. A dozen celebrities wont change his mind,if he feels nothing for the cause.

Pooja Pillai

Pooja Pillai is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, working with the National Editorial and Opinion section. Her work frequently explores the intersection of society, culture and technology. Editorial Focus & Expertise Pooja’s writing spans several key domains, often blending analytical commentary with cultural critique. Art & Culture: She writes extensively on cinema, books, and the evolving landscape of arts and entertainment. Technology & Society: Her work examines the human impact of the gig economy, the rise of AI in creative fields, and the cultural shifts driven by digital platforms. Food & Lifestyle: She often uses food as a lens to explore history and politics, covering everything from the origins of pantry essentials to the impact of nutrition policy. Politics: She closely tracks political developments in South and West India and provides commentary on international political transitions, including the shifting landscape of American politics. Multimedia & Podcasting Pooja is a prominent voice in the Indian Express’s digital ecosystem. She is the host of 'DeshKaal with Yogendra Yadav', weekly video podcast where she facilitates deep-dive conversations on Indian democracy, social movements, and current political affairs. Notable Recent Works Cinema & Identity: “SRK@60: Why Shah Rukh Khan is Bollywood's last, and only, superstar” – an analysis of stardom and the changing face of Indian identity Global Politics: Commentary on the Trump administration’s misguided “war on woke culture” via typography and analysis of the visual semiotics of Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s attire during successive visits to the White House. Art & AI: “An unequal music: AI is lowering barriers at the cost of music itself” – a critique of how technology is redefining artistic value. Professional Presence Pooja is active on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, where she shares her latest columns and editorial insights. Her full archive and latest updates can be found on her Indian Express Author Profile. ... Read More

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The Big Picture

Celebrites are not obligated to do social work. Just like every other citizen of this country,they do it because they feel strongly about a cause, said actor Imran Khan...

Celebrites are not obligated to do social work. Just like every other citizen of this country,they do it because they feel strongly about a cause, said actor Imran Khan...