Hypocrites or Saints?

To support or not to support — that is the question most of us are asking ourselves with the jallikattu ban taking over our social media pages, news channels and papers. Saying the state is divided over this is an understatement, with many well-known faces in the film industry like Kamal Haasan and Amy Jackson on opposing sides of the debate. Recently, Dhanush too came out in support of the sport.

But at a time when stars are voicing themselves, fans and activists can’t help but question their intentions. Does it hamper their on-screen personas with fans being skeptical over their favourite actors’ opinions? Especially since stars are called pretentious for being animal lovers on one hand — while owning leather bags, using animal products and eating non-vegetarian food!

Trisha and Kajal Aggarwal are just two of the many stars who have had to deal with spam and hate comments from their followers on social media, on being supposed ‘hypocrites’ in the context of their love for animals.

“I support jallikattu and I don’t agree with the opinion that it’s cruelty. This doesn’t mean I don’t love animals,” says veteran actor, politician and television host Kushboo. “About the actresses receiving harsh messages on social media — such behaviour is really uncalled for, by the fans. Even though they are celebs, they still need to be looked at as humans. Kamal Haasan and I made our choices to support the bull-taming sport, as people with an opinion, and not as celebrities. Trisha and Amy have made their choices on the matter as well. Sometimes, we forget to understand the difference between an opinion and a judgement,” she goes on to say.

Supporting Kushboo’s statement, Sreenivas Ravichandran, state manager at an MNC, says, “I am not sure whether the public has the sense to separate Trisha’s personal life from her professional one. Having said that, she is entitled to voice her opinion, but should also practice what she preaches. I personally don’t see any conviction at all in the animal welfare activities she takes part in.”

Radha Manalan, creative producer at Madras Central, that recently released a video in favour of jallikattu, says, “Honestly, I don’t think we should expect actresses like Amy and Kajal to comment on Tamil Nadu culture  — they haven’t understood the depths of our culture yet.”

Do actors use animal welfare as a publicity stunt, or or do they really care? Sathya Radhakrishnan, animal rights activist and member of Blue Cross of India, Madras, says, “If the cause gains momentum due to celebrities’ involvement, then it’s fine. I personally don’t like people who scream from the rooftops about being animal lovers, but eat meat or use leather. There are certain organisations that overlook the intentions of a celebrity — they will do whatever they can to gain publicity for the suffering of animals. But I think this could affect the organisation’s name in the long run.”

In retaliation, PeTA CEO Poorva Joshipura says, “All of our celebrity supporters are volunteers. They do not need PeTA for publicity, but the animals can certainly use their help toward ending the abuse inflicted upon them. Numerous film and cricket stars signed PeTA’s petition to uphold the ban on jallikattu. Are people against this going to troll every person in India who cares about animals?”

On the topic of Dhanush denying any association with PeTA, Poorva says he had nothing to do with the jallikattu campaigns. However, they would like to bring him on board. Ultimately, practice what you preach, or go home is the public’s policy is, as far as celebrities are concerned. That’s probably why actress Amala Akkineni is the most respected animal welfare activist in the entire country!