Celebrities and their lifestyle have always fascinated fans. There was a time when the fans eagerly waited for an interview of their favourite stars to be telecast and the channel that would host the interview end up getting loads of letters from them. Letters expressing their liking for the actors and their views — good and bad — on the characters they play. However, times have changed and the need of the hour is that the celebrities themselves need to find platforms like Instagram and Facebook to communicate and be in touch with their fans.
With social media taking over the entire scene, the way in which these actors communicate has also evolved. Celebs now, through their official social media accounts, share their day-to-day activities that are received with immense pleasure by the fans. However, when they become part of a star’s daily life, the fans seem to take up the role of ‘well-wishers’ who ought to comment on each and everything posted by their favourite actor. The fact of the matter is that things have reached a point where people are going overboard while commenting, so much so that they end up giving suggestions on how actors should behave, dress up and even talk.
Superstar Mammootty and Mohanlal who are the heartthrobs of Malayalam cinema are also not spared in this regard. Mohanlal was recently trolled a lot when he appeared in a slimmer, clean shaven look for his upcoming movie Odiyan. Mammootty too had to face shaming comments when some photographs and videos of him rehearsing for a dance show did the rounds on social media. Now, the fact of the matter is that fans might like Mohanlal’s old look and Mammootty will be loved like before, even if he does not dance. But the unnecessary shaming that is associated with these comments is not justified, observers feel. Young actor Arun was also shamed after his wedding photographs were released. Through really unkind and insulting comments, they ridiculed the bride’s appearance.
The celebrities have different opinions about such shaming comments. “Though it is definitely a part of the game and we enjoy the fame, getting personal has too many implications,” says Kaniha, the Pazhassi Raja actor, adding, “I am a celebrity and I definitely enjoy the limelight and the attention of my fans. My social media profiles are the means to help my fans know me better, outside of the characters that I play. I feel that my true fans will appreciate it and the ones who intentionally post things to shame me will be sad to know that these shaming comments do not even matter to me because I don’t feel I need to prove anything to them. I have been at the receiving end so much that I feel numb to such comments and do not react.”
When asked if she had encountered any serious shaming, Kaniha says by posting her photographs on social media she too is partly responsible for the comments that fans give as she is inviting them into her space. However, she stresses that it is not a license for anyone to say anything. “So as far as I feel that the photograph I posted is a good one, I do not bother about two or three nasty comments and only value those that are encouraging,” she says.
It can also be noted that there are some people under fake identity who are constantly involved in this kind of shaming. They pass obscene comments under the photographs posted mostly by female actors. Explaining the thought process behind this, Alina Padikkal, anchor and cine artiste, says there is a section of people who cannot stand women getting noticed. She says, “I was trolled left and right for one of my interviews. It is after that interview that I am receiving all nasty comments for the photographs I am posting. Some people might have felt that I am outspoken or arrogant and therefore decided to put my morale down.” Alina, however, is of the opinion that reacting is the only option because keeping shut will encourage such people to write more. “I try my best to take these things in a sporty way. But it goes overboard when these comments come due to the wrong perception of a character played by a female celeb. The fact that they have handled bold characters is not a criterion to judge them.”
Fans are definitely the major support system that make or break these actors. However, everyone should understand there is always a line that should never be crossed.
