Good publicity is good, bad is even better

Publicity and showbiz go hand in hand. Today, to promote movies, stars are usually found on the reality shows on television, urging people to watch their movie. Oh but this tactic is of course reserved for the common film stars, and not for the Dabangg Salman Khan. He has taken care of both national and international promotion for his latest movie, by simply giving an interview to our very old friend Pakistan, on the sensitive subject of the 26/11 terrorist attack. He has, without a second thought, made remarks as the only reason the attack was hyped was the elite class being involved, and also that the Pakistan government had nothing to do with the attack. And all hell broke loose.

The question to be asked now is not what authority he has to make such a statement, as it is a matter of opinion of course, but the question is that when the interview was aired three weeks preceding the release of his latest movie, why is it brought to notice now, immediately after the release? Even a blind man can see the catch from a mile away. It is a full blown publicity stunt. The news regarding his interview was probably withheld, and then conveniently used to the advantage of publicize the movie.

Can we only lay the blame on Salman? What about the media? Did the media not have an ulterior motive behind delaying the exposing of this bit of news? How can it happen that a celebrity of Indian nationality gives an interview on Pakistani TV, comments on such a sensitive issue, and yet manages to escape the notice of the media for three entire weeks? We can’t help but wonder what role the media played in this issue. Whom is the media responsible to? Is it to a particular celebrity or to the nation as a whole? The only factor that motivates the media houses is the TRP. They with hold information to utilize it at the right time, which in turn enhances their TRPs.

This entire incident is an excellent example of how the media has sold itself to sensationalism. Their motto seems to be “The more scandalous the news item, the happier we are”. How does it natter that the issue at hand is one that concerns the entire nation? It’s all about catching hold of a person’s nerve and pressing it at the right time. Has the media twisted Salman’s words and made it seem like this? Have they been entirely fair with him? Or have they with held parts of the interview so as to make the episode seem all the more outrageous?   It is yet again a brilliant opportunity for our politicians to jump forth and express their horror at the comments made and try to impress upon the people how much they love our country.

Who is the real culprit? Salman? The media? Or the politicians? Whose ulterior motive has been served? And at what cost? An issue as sensitive as the 26/11 has been used and twisted to the benefit of someone. Whether it has been done on purpose or otherwise and by whom remains the million-dollar question.