Media dunnit?

To disclaim ownership, complain of media misrepresentation, is habitual. Like the disclaimer before a film: 8216;Any resemblance to real persons or events...8217;

Today, let8217;s be contrary. Just. From that perspective, people do what they planned to do, or what appeals to them on the spur of the moment, and then either complain or, make others complain.

Amitabh Bachchan 8212; yes, him again. He says the Biggest Fattest Shaadi No.1 of Bollywood was a family and friends affair. So he makes a very personal visit to Tirupati with his menagerie a dus and counting, holding up public devotees for a special darshan. Thereafter, he bids a farewell to Ash8217;s arms and of course Abhishek8217;s at a crowded Mumbai airport. On both occasions, the media is present, as his publicity agent, of course.

Then? He complains the media made a very private affair into a public spectacle. Politicians complain thousands were inconvenienced at Tirupati due to his habit of living his private life in public. An inquiry is initiated. If only he had held a small puja at home and said his goodbyes behind those famous Prateeksha gates, the media would have been absent from his 8216;private8217; affairs and everyone would have been joyously happy.

Richard Gere and Shilpa Shetty appear at an AIDS awareness function. The media is invited to cover the event. Gere attacks Shilpa8217;s arm, cheek with playful ? kisses. Obviously, the cameras take aim and record the assault from start to finish. Then? Moral outrage, a court case and a warrant of arrest for the two. Then? Gere complains his actions have been misrepresented by the media. Shilpa likewise: they were just having fun. Of course. That8217;s what8217;s upset those who don8217;t. Have fun.

However. Based on past experiences, we know, Shilpa more than anybody else, that the media will replay 8216;Gere kisses Shilpa8217; until every person who is likely to be outraged, sees it and is outraged. Gere has been in India often enough so has Shilpa! to know full well you cannot shower smooches on female flesh wherever it may be located, playful or otherwise, in public, without controversy. So why complain?

Rakhi Sawant seldom complains. She flaunts herself at every occasion for media over exposure. She invites its attention 8212; figuratively and literally. Her blaseacute;, crude remarks on Koffee with Karan tried to live up to her reputation for outrageousness. That8217;s why, for all her lack of accomplishments, she8217;s Bigg Boss or Karan8217;s guest. If she didn8217;t say 8220;I will not marry or have children8230;8221; she8217;d just be bust, sorry, best friend to Gracious Carol.

Even by her standards, Mr Azim8217;s comparison of Rahul Gandhi to an animal who lives in a sty, is impermissible in public or media hearing. Yet again, it was intentional. He made it in the hope and expectation that it would be recorded, replayed, reported, perhaps not for posterity but certainly during the UP elections. The media obliged and broadcast it throughout the day so we could see what a 8216;pig8217; he Azim was.

Story continues below this ad

If he hasn8217;t yet claimed to have been misquoted, he will. They all do. To disclaim ownership, complain of media misrepresentation is habitual, like the routine disclaimer before films or serials: 8220;Any resemblance to real persons or events8230;8221; Thus, celebrity complaints against the media are largely or purely fictitious, used to excite more media interest.

The cricket World Cup is over. Ought to thank the organisers for thinking of our well being. Before the Cup, we worried about how we would stay up long enough to watch India and the Cup. Well, the Indian team, ever considerate of its fans, left early. As for the rest, the result was a foregone conclusion after the first innings, so no need for sleepless nights. Dare we say it was a boring Cup? No wonder Mandira and Charu looked like they8217;d rather be elsewhere, preferably, like us, in bed.