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This post has two parts and is long.
Part 1
It has been a week since the demise of Sushant Singh Rajput (SSR) and social media is filled with the usual garbage that it always carries. Several years ago as the popular social media(SM) gradually began turning into the sewerage that it is today, I decided to cut my losses and fold. From time to time, I login to my SM accounts to see if anything has changed and every time I logoff knowing that things have gotten only worse. The half-understood, half-baked, copy pasted, illogical and vulgar language, thought and expression seems to have overtaken everything that was once good on social media.
Even LinkedIn seems to be joining the bandwagon. These days almost every other post belongs to some gaudily dressed woman creating irrelevant content and batting their false eyelashes (even botox lips) into their selfie cameras. And LinkedIn seems to have no moderation in place.
Over the last week though, the usual garbage from this channel has been overflowing into other media channels and this has irritated me to no end. The first couple of days almost 80% of news comprised of tweets and excerpts from SSR well-wishers and so-called friends. These people were apparently so moved by his demise that they could not even pen “Rest in Peace” in full for the departed soul. Honestly, I don’t want to know what any of them think or feel. The only thing that interests me is to know whether the death was a SUICIDE or MURDER. That is the only answer I seek.
Don’t get me wrong. Even though I can personally never understand or sympathize with anyone who even contemplates suicide, I have come to accept that to some it holds the promise of peace and solace. Death in any form is sad and warrants mourning. But I have seen very little of it during this last week for Sushant at least.
For most, it has become a mud-slinging, finger-pointing and getting their two-minutes-of fame opportunity. For the rest, it is all about, what’s-in-it-for-me? Everyone and I mean EVERY SINGLE ONE seems to have an opinion which is based purely on hearsay and not reason or logic. I will come to that in the second part of my post.
But, first things first - A couple of things about this death simply don’t add up.
First - There is no suicide note. A reminiscent tweet of one’s dead parent does not amount to having suicidal thoughts. He still had a list of 50 Things To-Do. He was selected for the 2024 space program and had bought a piece of land on the moon as well. Only someone who wished to live through a May Day situation would want to learn Morse Code. Why would he want to die before that?
Second – The death of Sushant’s ex-manager Disha Salian just six days ago was also made to look like suicide. Later, it was claimed as accidental death but the underlying thought was that she was suffering from depression. Sounded exactly like the actress Divya Bharti’s death. That she was hosting a party at her home and had been negotiating some important deals for Sushant earlier was conveniently forgotten. Not everyone turns into a manic depressive after an emotional breakup. Somehow, the word “DEPRESSION” is being made out to be the monster in all of this while the real villain roams free.
Third - Paying his house help in advance could either mean that Sushant was sorting out his finances for the future or was trying to get rid of someone to protect himself in some way from something sinister. Someone who owned a Maserati, had a very healthy bank balance and no liabilities at 34 would definitely not be afraid to pay back loans no matter how large.
Fourth – Dogs are one of the most alert and sensitive beings. Something about the dog’s behaviour in Sushant’s house does not seem right. Honestly, I haven’t figured this out yet.
But yes, I am extremely curious to know the real cause of Sushant’ death. Maybe even Disha’s.
Part 2
Now coming to the second part of my blog – The narrative around Sushant’s death has two parallel themes one of Depression and mental illness and the other of Nepotism in Bollywood.
In most cases, the people who have dredged up this issue again, seem to either have very limited vocabulary or haven’t found any other interesting word in the dictionary yet. To all these people, I will only say this, when you point one finger at another, there are at least three other fingers pointing back at you. So beware of who you employ or have around you before you blame others.
Let me try and explain how and where Nepotism really exists.
1. In many homes even today, there is a favourite child who gets the best opportunities or goodies than the rest of the family. That is Nepotism.
2. Even a poor hard working farmer will always handover all his land and property to his one and only lazy son but not to his hardworking neighbour. That is Nepotism.
3. A successful businessman will always get the most talented professionals to work for the business, perhaps even promote them to board levels but will eventually handover its reigns to his not so talented children. That is Nepotism.
4. Have you heard of any politician or village head handling over their seats of power to a true leader? The seat always goes to a close family member no-matter how unqualified or vindictive. That is Nepotism.
5. Have you heard of railways or police or Group D government jobs given to the wife or son on the untimely demise of an active employee? That is Nepotism.
6. Family jewels are always passed down from one generation to the other and not given to charity. That is Nepotism.
7. When you feed your own child and the maid’s child, the former always ends up getting the best portions. That is Nepotism.
8. Some academic institutes are more famous than others because the successful alumni consciously select, recruit and promote juniors from their alma matter. This ensures a good placement and reputation for the institute and a higher perceived market value of the students of the institute. The institute on the other hand has a “Management Quota” for the children of these alumni. That is Nepotism.
9. Kings, zamindars, temple priests and even our very own caste system is nepotistic.
I can go on but I think you get the drift.
Nepotism exists in democratic, socialistic, autocratic, capitalistic and all other forms of governance. Nepotism always has and always will exist. To call one person or only a group of people Nepotists is absolute stupidity.
The media and film industry for all its faults has never made any claims of being a Great Place to Work. They are almost always in the public eye and more prone to scrutiny than any other industry. Yet, people choose to make a career in this industry. Nobody is forced to choose and make a living in this industry. You can always leave should you so desire. Some other industries are worse.
The media and film industry allows talent to come from colleges, modelling agencies, film and dance institutes, theater, television, radio, business, cricket, , politics, fitness centers and even those who are wholly disconnected from the world of media and film – such as self-styled god-men. No other industry offers such a wide berth to its talent. Yet, everyone is hounding the media and film industry for Nepotism.
It is ironic to see some self-declared “outsiders” who have actually made it big in film industry, blaspheme the same industry that has given them so much. To these ladies and gentlemen of the film industry, I want to give a small advice. Several sons and daughters of superstars could not make their mark despite several launches and good scripts. Not every Kapoor or Khan or Bachchan or Bhatt or Shetty is successful in cinema. Whereas, several talented actors from impoverished backgrounds have made their mark and have a huge fan base, albeit after a lot of struggle. The second list is way longer than the first and will continue to remain so.
The success or failure of a talent in Bollywood does not depend on some awards, few boot-licking journalists, missed scripts or nepotism. It depends entirely on the audience. Stop blaspheming the same industry that has given you so much fame, fortune and fan following. There are worse industries to be working in. You can check coal mining, smelter or power plants or even the health care industry if you like. Every profession has challenges of its own as well as its benefits. Focus on the positives.
Yes, there will be arm-twisters, groupies, henchmen, bullies and mean girls. And they will definitely get their just desserts. I am not talking of Karma but Time. Aging is a great leveler. It shows and is in-your-face-literally.! So relax. Unless you find it in yourself to be happy and at peace, don’t expect to find it outside.
Part 1
It has been a week since the demise of Sushant Singh Rajput (SSR) and social media is filled with the usual garbage that it always carries. Several years ago as the popular social media(SM) gradually began turning into the sewerage that it is today, I decided to cut my losses and fold. From time to time, I login to my SM accounts to see if anything has changed and every time I logoff knowing that things have gotten only worse. The half-understood, half-baked, copy pasted, illogical and vulgar language, thought and expression seems to have overtaken everything that was once good on social media.
Even LinkedIn seems to be joining the bandwagon. These days almost every other post belongs to some gaudily dressed woman creating irrelevant content and batting their false eyelashes (even botox lips) into their selfie cameras. And LinkedIn seems to have no moderation in place.
Over the last week though, the usual garbage from this channel has been overflowing into other media channels and this has irritated me to no end. The first couple of days almost 80% of news comprised of tweets and excerpts from SSR well-wishers and so-called friends. These people were apparently so moved by his demise that they could not even pen “Rest in Peace” in full for the departed soul. Honestly, I don’t want to know what any of them think or feel. The only thing that interests me is to know whether the death was a SUICIDE or MURDER. That is the only answer I seek.
Don’t get me wrong. Even though I can personally never understand or sympathize with anyone who even contemplates suicide, I have come to accept that to some it holds the promise of peace and solace. Death in any form is sad and warrants mourning. But I have seen very little of it during this last week for Sushant at least.
For most, it has become a mud-slinging, finger-pointing and getting their two-minutes-of fame opportunity. For the rest, it is all about, what’s-in-it-for-me? Everyone and I mean EVERY SINGLE ONE seems to have an opinion which is based purely on hearsay and not reason or logic. I will come to that in the second part of my post.
But, first things first - A couple of things about this death simply don’t add up.
First - There is no suicide note. A reminiscent tweet of one’s dead parent does not amount to having suicidal thoughts. He still had a list of 50 Things To-Do. He was selected for the 2024 space program and had bought a piece of land on the moon as well. Only someone who wished to live through a May Day situation would want to learn Morse Code. Why would he want to die before that?
Second – The death of Sushant’s ex-manager Disha Salian just six days ago was also made to look like suicide. Later, it was claimed as accidental death but the underlying thought was that she was suffering from depression. Sounded exactly like the actress Divya Bharti’s death. That she was hosting a party at her home and had been negotiating some important deals for Sushant earlier was conveniently forgotten. Not everyone turns into a manic depressive after an emotional breakup. Somehow, the word “DEPRESSION” is being made out to be the monster in all of this while the real villain roams free.
Third - Paying his house help in advance could either mean that Sushant was sorting out his finances for the future or was trying to get rid of someone to protect himself in some way from something sinister. Someone who owned a Maserati, had a very healthy bank balance and no liabilities at 34 would definitely not be afraid to pay back loans no matter how large.
Fourth – Dogs are one of the most alert and sensitive beings. Something about the dog’s behaviour in Sushant’s house does not seem right. Honestly, I haven’t figured this out yet.
But yes, I am extremely curious to know the real cause of Sushant’ death. Maybe even Disha’s.
Part 2
Now coming to the second part of my blog – The narrative around Sushant’s death has two parallel themes one of Depression and mental illness and the other of Nepotism in Bollywood.
In most cases, the people who have dredged up this issue again, seem to either have very limited vocabulary or haven’t found any other interesting word in the dictionary yet. To all these people, I will only say this, when you point one finger at another, there are at least three other fingers pointing back at you. So beware of who you employ or have around you before you blame others.
Let me try and explain how and where Nepotism really exists.
1. In many homes even today, there is a favourite child who gets the best opportunities or goodies than the rest of the family. That is Nepotism.
2. Even a poor hard working farmer will always handover all his land and property to his one and only lazy son but not to his hardworking neighbour. That is Nepotism.
3. A successful businessman will always get the most talented professionals to work for the business, perhaps even promote them to board levels but will eventually handover its reigns to his not so talented children. That is Nepotism.
4. Have you heard of any politician or village head handling over their seats of power to a true leader? The seat always goes to a close family member no-matter how unqualified or vindictive. That is Nepotism.
5. Have you heard of railways or police or Group D government jobs given to the wife or son on the untimely demise of an active employee? That is Nepotism.
6. Family jewels are always passed down from one generation to the other and not given to charity. That is Nepotism.
7. When you feed your own child and the maid’s child, the former always ends up getting the best portions. That is Nepotism.
8. Some academic institutes are more famous than others because the successful alumni consciously select, recruit and promote juniors from their alma matter. This ensures a good placement and reputation for the institute and a higher perceived market value of the students of the institute. The institute on the other hand has a “Management Quota” for the children of these alumni. That is Nepotism.
9. Kings, zamindars, temple priests and even our very own caste system is nepotistic.
I can go on but I think you get the drift.
Nepotism exists in democratic, socialistic, autocratic, capitalistic and all other forms of governance. Nepotism always has and always will exist. To call one person or only a group of people Nepotists is absolute stupidity.
The media and film industry for all its faults has never made any claims of being a Great Place to Work. They are almost always in the public eye and more prone to scrutiny than any other industry. Yet, people choose to make a career in this industry. Nobody is forced to choose and make a living in this industry. You can always leave should you so desire. Some other industries are worse.
The media and film industry allows talent to come from colleges, modelling agencies, film and dance institutes, theater, television, radio, business, cricket, , politics, fitness centers and even those who are wholly disconnected from the world of media and film – such as self-styled god-men. No other industry offers such a wide berth to its talent. Yet, everyone is hounding the media and film industry for Nepotism.
It is ironic to see some self-declared “outsiders” who have actually made it big in film industry, blaspheme the same industry that has given them so much. To these ladies and gentlemen of the film industry, I want to give a small advice. Several sons and daughters of superstars could not make their mark despite several launches and good scripts. Not every Kapoor or Khan or Bachchan or Bhatt or Shetty is successful in cinema. Whereas, several talented actors from impoverished backgrounds have made their mark and have a huge fan base, albeit after a lot of struggle. The second list is way longer than the first and will continue to remain so.
The success or failure of a talent in Bollywood does not depend on some awards, few boot-licking journalists, missed scripts or nepotism. It depends entirely on the audience. Stop blaspheming the same industry that has given you so much fame, fortune and fan following. There are worse industries to be working in. You can check coal mining, smelter or power plants or even the health care industry if you like. Every profession has challenges of its own as well as its benefits. Focus on the positives.
Yes, there will be arm-twisters, groupies, henchmen, bullies and mean girls. And they will definitely get their just desserts. I am not talking of Karma but Time. Aging is a great leveler. It shows and is in-your-face-literally.! So relax. Unless you find it in yourself to be happy and at peace, don’t expect to find it outside.