Exclusive: Feel sad for such immature people, says Hema Malini on MLA's slur
Cinema and politics have often shared a love-hate relationship — at times they are the coy lovebirds but more often than not, they are at loggerheads. Whatever the case may be, comments on celebrities always seem to manage to grab a lot of eyeballs.
Recently, a comment on actor-parliamentarian Hema Malini has landed a Maharashtra lawmaker in trouble. Bacchu Kadu, an independent legislator, was making a point on farmer suicides in the state when he referred to the BJP MP. “People say farmers commit suicide because they drink... This is not correct... Who doesn’t drink alcohol? Hema Malini drinks every day but she didn’t commit suicide? (sic)” said Bachhu, originally Omprakash Babarao.
But this is not a case in isolation? There have been other instances in the past when Bollywood celebrities have been soft targets when it comes to politics. Sushilkumar Shinde taunted Jaya Bachchan who has been a senior Rajya Sabha MP by snubbing her on a matter that was ‘serious’ and not ‘filmy’ (read frivolous). However, later he had to apologise for his remark. Incidentally, Amitabh Bachchan also faced a lot of criticism during his stint as an MP from Allahabad for three years. On the other hand, several personalities from the film and television fraternity have had successful careers in politics. Just take MP Kirron Kher, or our current textile minister Smriti Irani, for instance. Not to forget, Tamil Nadu’s beloved Amma, Jayalalithaa was from the film industry.
“In this male-dominated mindset, where they feel they can say anything and get away with it is most unfortunate,” says BJP legislator Shaina NC. Pointing at Bacchu’s comment, she insists it was uncalled for. She further says, “Whenever you put such allegations on a woman, on her character or her conduct, substantiate it with proof.”
Admitting that Bollywood actors are often soft targets, she explains, “I find it shocking because Bacchu Kadu is also a good Rajput mass leader, so I don’t see a reason for him to use Hema Malini’s name to show that he has arrived. It’s unfortunate that celebs are used in such context just because they are well-known and come with a huge following.”
Priya Dutt, former Member of Parliament from Mumbai and daughter of Sunil Dutt, claims that it is fame that turns celebrities into soft targets. Speaking not only from her own experience, but also drawing on the fact that her father happens to be someone who had found a successful balance between a career as an actor and a minister, she says, “Hema is an icon in herself, she cannot be just seen in context of Bollywood. But such sad politics, especially coming from politicians, is unacceptable. How can someone discuss someone else’s personal life in this way? If she is bad at her work, then criticise her, but getting into someone’s personal life isn’t acceptable.”
When contacted, Hema Malini, a BJP Member of Parliament from Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, seemed unperturbed by the remarks. “It’s not worth talking about this comment made by so and so. That’s why I am keeping quiet. He needs publicity and he has taken a shortcut. Feel sad for such immature people. God bless!”
While she has decided to stay quiet and avoid the incident, the Maharashtra Women’s Commission chairman Vijaya Rahatkar announced on Friday that she would be sitting down with her committee to decide on what action to be taken against Bacchu.
When Jaya Bachchan was the target
In 2012, the then Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde had a classic foot-in-mouth moment when Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan rose to intervene at an ongoing session at the Parliament. “Listen carefully sister, my sister, this is a serious matter. This is not a film issue,” the otherwise soft-spoken minister had said. To which, Mrs Bachchan sank back in her seat, looking stricken.
(With inputs from Pooja Salvi)
