MxMIndia

Tag: Aishwarya

  • Much to the Bachchan clan’s dismay, I am sure, baby Aaradhya’s snaps are all over the media. She’s already become a celebrity in her own right.

    Anil Thakraney: Media’s lust for Aaradhya

    By Anil Thakraney

     

    Much to the Bachchan clan’s dismay, I am sure, baby Aaradhya’s snaps are all over the media. She’s already become a celebrity in her own right, a Google search throws up nearly 300,000 links. This is not what the Bachchans wanted at all, they have all along been taking every possible precaution to ensure the baby is kept out of the reach of eager photographers.

     

    Now, I understand the media’s desire to click celeb children pics, the janata would want to see them. There is a great deal of interest in celebrities, and this happens in most parts of the world. What amazes me, however, is that Amitabh Bachchan, despite living (and thriving) in the spotlight for all these decades, is in denial about this fact, and therefore all those valiant attempts to conceal the baby’s face. I wonder why the family must behave thus. They do proudly introduce Aaradhya to all their friends and acquaintances (Ms Oprah Winfrey included), so why would they deprive their zillion fans of a little ‘mooh dikhai’? All that will happen is that the fans will feel happy, and would most likely bless the child.

     

    Here’s what I suspect, and I sincerely hope I am wrong about this: The Bachchan family is renowned for being deeply superstitious. Could it be that some sort of a strange belief compels them to keep Aaradhya away from the public glare? Does it have something to do with the chance of an ‘evil eye’ attack? I really hope not. That, if true, would be a real pity, coming from such an educated, well-travelled and cultured family.

     

    As for the press, my own view is that if a famous family does not wish to share its happiness with the aam junta, the media must shun them, however big their celebrity status might be. And I had said the same thing when the Bachchans badly wanted to keep the media out during the Abhi-Ash wedding, some camera guys had even got punched and kicked by the security personnel.

     

    People, I am all for exclusives and scoops. But not at the cost of self-respect. That should be placed above all else. Let’s be hungry, not desperate.

     

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    PS: A horror story posted by a Volkswagen customer on a discussion forum. Volkswagen India should spend all their monies in keeping their clients happy, rather than splurging it on silly media ‘innovations’. Vibrator? Oh, puhleeeaze! This example also highlights the power of social media, and why corporates can take it lightly only at their own peril.

     

    http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian-car-dealerships/126160-ksm-motors-smashes-customers-jetta-joyride-vw-india-silent-issue.html

     

  • I find it appalling that the Bachchan-baby-obsessed media has so quickly forgotten the humiliation of the recent past.

    Anil Thakraney: Why the media must boycott Abhi-Ash baby birth

    By Anil Thakraney

     

    Aishwarya’s yet-to-be-born baby has become national news. Front pages of newspapers and prime time programming on television carry minute details of the event. Astrologers have been consulted to predict the sex of the baby, and the whole nation knows which hospital has been chosen for the historic delivery.

    Well, I am not going into the importance of the story vis-à-vis more pressing matters, that’s for Shri Katju to worry about. I just find it appalling that the Bachchan-baby obsessed media has so quickly forgotten the humiliation of the recent past. Remember the Big Wedding? When journalists waiting outside Pratiksha and Jalsa for days together were completely ignored by the Bachchan clan. When some photographers were beaten up by Amitabh’s then chhote bhaiyya Amar Singh’s goons. When the newly wed couple didn’t even extend the courtesy of emerging for a single photograph.

     

    Yup, it’s all forgotten. The media is back to cover the baby birth with full gusto. And the journos are ready to get humiliated all over again. Have we no shame? Have we become so beygairat? In fact, according to Mumbai Mirror, a guideline has been issued by the Broadcast Editors’ Association on how TV channels must conduct themselves during the event! And to think this sort of a guideline ought to have been issued during the 26/11 terror attacks, and who knows… some lives could have been saved. Tells you how jumbled up our priorities are. While to some extent I can understand the junta’s interest in the new member’s arrival inside India’s ‘first family’ household, if we in the media have any self respect left, we should boycott the event.

    Of course, that’s not going to happen. Kya karein, we are like that only.

     

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    PS: Speaking of Beygairat Brigade, here’s the whacko Pak band with their popular number titled ‘Aalu Anday’. An otherwise ordinary track that became a rage courtesy the social media. Intersperse faces of the lads with those of our popular TV anchors and the song works marvellously!