Bollywood so Silent

On Monday, the nation woke up to a landmark day in the history of India. Addressing the morning session of Rajya Sabha, Home Minister Amit Shah scrapped Article 370 that granted a special status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Although the gravity of the move is yet to show itself in full force, naturally, a ruckus was created in the Upper House of the Parliament, and chaos on social media. As the people stand divided in the face of the recent development, our film industry is also left asunder. While some celebrities were unabashed with their views on social media, we also witnessed a line of well-known celebrities restraining from saying a word.

One of the first celebrities to react was a veteran actor and a Kashmiri Pandit Anupam Kher, who hailed the decision. “Kashmir Solution has begun (sic),” tweeted the actor, and Raveena Tandon tweeted multiple Indian flag emojis.

Meanwhile, Kangana Ranaut praised the Prime Minister and believes that this decision was long overdue. “Scrapping of Article 370 was long due, it is a historic step in the direction of a terrorism-free nation. I have been emphasising on this for the longest time, and I knew if anyone could achieve this impossible feat that is Mr. Modi,” she posted on Instagram.

Joining the side that’s welcoming the much-contested move that divides the state into two Union Territories – Ladakh and J&K, Fanaa director Kunal Kohli termed it as history unfolding for the nation. “The fundamental difference between states and union territory is states are the administrative units having their own governments. whereas UTs are ruled directly by the central government through Lieutenant Governor as the administrator.2 new union territories created out of the state of #JammuKashmir. I just hope n pray there’s peace n stability in the region finally (sic),” he said in series of tweets.      

However, there were some who braved their resentment online. The Dangal star Zaira Wasim, also a native of Jammu and Kashmir, who recently quit the industry tweeted, “This too shall pass! #Kashmir.(sic).” While Dia Mirza, whose latest web-series Kaafir was based in Kashmir, sent her prayers to the people of the state who are living in a curfew. Director Onir also showed his concern, tweeting: “Anxiously waiting to know what’s happening in #Kashmir. Can’t imagine an entire state being put under this uncertainty. We cannot have another era of violence. Just hoping and praying ... this night of distress is over and clarity and peace would surface. #StandwithKashmir (sic).”

While a few celebrities, siding to both the ends of the issue, let their opinions come to fore, as usual, the crème de la crème of Bollywood refrained from commenting on the national development. According to the Angry Indian Goddesses actress Tannishtha Chatterjee, since we are living in a sensitive socio-political time, one doesn’t want to be attached to a certain ideology. “In the last few years, our society has become polarised. It is becoming more and more difficult to talk, so one prefers to keep quiet. And this is happening to the bigger celebrities because for them a lot is at stake. It is like the 140 characters judges their fate,” she says. .

Praising the Prime Minister for the landmark decision, Pallavi Joshi is quick to add that media sometimes expects way too much from the stars. “Not everybody can be aware of everything. There are stars who are politically aware, carry some social responsibility and think that they need to have a social voice; it is their personal choice. If some want to stay mum about it, either to be diplomatic or for not having enough knowledge on the issue, I think they should be left alone and they don’t have to comment on everything,” she says. To drive her point home, she illustrates an example about Kareena Kapoor Khan getting trolled on not knowing about Mangalyaan mission. “ How many people can look glamorous like her and do the job wonderfully like Kareena? Give her credit for what she does. She is not running to be the Prime Minister of India,” she says.

So, the superstars of Bollywood are more prone to getting trolled. “People will troll them on their opinion. I feel if you don’t know something and on top of that you have an opinion because there are conversations going around it, then it is unfair. Everybody is entitled to his or her opinion and free speech. And one will exercise this right whenever they deem it right and so one should be left alone,” concludes Aahana Kumra.