ARE CELEBS MEANT TO KNOW IT ALL?

Is it fair to expect Bollywood celebs to have a view on all burning topics, even those unrelated to their industry? We find out

One of the drawbacks for Bollywood actors is that they’re expected to comment on everything. Actors Sushant Singh Rajput and Parineeti Chopra were recently asked to comment on the case of Indian national Kulbhushan Jhadav, who has been sentenced to death by a military court in Pakistan. The case has become a major bilateral issue. The actors refused to comment, saying they weren’t in a position to talk about it. Their refusal spiralled into a debate over why film actors should even be asked to comment on current affairs when they’re promoting their films.

On Jadhav, Parineeti’s reply was, “I’m the least important and least worthy [person] to comment on this. One can’t force me to have an opinion on something that doesn’t concern me.”

In the past, too, there were incidents when celebrities dodged or refused to give an opinion on sensitive issues such as terrorism, rape or a historic judgment. “We can’t be opinionated about everything under the sun. That’s like expecting us to have a parallel job of an opinionator,” says actor Taapsee Pannu.

Actor Ali Fazal points out that it’s unfair to blindside public figures with issues that they might not know much about. “At times, actors comment on things without thinking of the consequences and then they are labelled ‘dumb people’, which isn’t true,” he says.

Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt says that celebrities are used to add some sheen to news products and their silence is also a response. “But since you can’t market their silence, they’re coerced into saying something. One has the right to speak, and also to be silent. But a ‘no comment’ response is bad business in this ‘soundbyte’ age,” he quips.

In such situation, is it better to stay quiet? Actor Nimrat Kaur says it’s wise not to give out half-baked information. “As a public figure,” she says, “it’s our responsibility to express [our views] in a balanced way whenever we’re vocal or are asked about an issue.”

Some celebrities blame their “lack of information” on their hectic lifestyles. “Most of the times, we’re travelling, we’re in different time zones and continents. It’s a bit unfair to expect us to know everything that’s going on,” says actor Richa Chadha.

As a public figure, it’s our responsibility to express [our views] in a balanced way NIMRAT KAUR, ACTOR One can’t force me to have an opinion on something that doesn’t concern me PARINEETI CHOPRA, ACTOR

PHOTO: PRATHAM GOKHALE/HT (Left to right) Nimrat Kaur, Sushant Singh Rajput and Parineeti Chopra