BOLLYWOOD ADDING TO ANXIETY CLOUD
CELEBRITY DEATHS AREN’T JUST LEADING TO MEDIA CLAMOUR, BUT ALSO ADDING TO EVERYONE’S STRESS LEVELS AMID COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN INDIA
The year 2020 has been one that most of us, if not all, would want to completely write off the calender. While every section of society has suffered due to lockdown and Covid-19 pandemic, it is the entertainment industry which seems to be the worst impacted with sudden and unfortunate deaths in the fraternity.
From well-known celebrities Sushant Singh Rajput, Irrfan Khan, Rishi Kapoor, Saroj Khan, Wajid Khan, lyricist Yogesh Gaur, Sameer Sharma, to budding actors such as Sejal Sharma, Preksha Mehta, and Manmeet Grewal, the industry has been left reeling.
While some passed away due to illnesses, others died by suicide, as reported.
If the unfortunate deaths were not enough, the constant media coverage, attacks, accusations and trolling on social media has played havoc on the minds of not just the rest of the celebrity brigade but also regular people in general.
“To hear about suicides every few days, is disturbing. It re-emphasises the fact that the people are under pressure,” says actor Aahana Kumra.
Sangita Vyas, 50, a homemaker who has been following all the action in Bollywood echoes the thought. “News about celebrity deaths, especially so frequently makes one anxious. When we hear about popular stars and their crumbling lives, we wonder if this happens to them, what about us?,” she says.
While the news of any death is sad, its effect compounds when it is of a celebrity. It opens up the Pandora’s box of an otherwise ‘glittering life’.
Actor Tisca Chopra feels actors often have outward composure, which doesn’t reveal anything of the real inner self. And it is in times such as these when the vulnerability comes out.”This dichotomy is hard, especially in this current chaos around the world. Everyone goes through low phases. But certain artistes get affected much more.”
Saumya Tandon, however, finds the “courtroom battle” in the media with “random theories, just for ratings” a big factor of increased anxiety levels. “One fact is depicted in a new manner on every other news channel. No one knows the complete truth. In Sushant Singh Rajput’s case, I believe there should be a probe but don’t appreciate the speculation on TV,” says the actor.
Psychiatrist Dr Harish Shetty agrees, “Hype around celebrity suicides provoke those on the edge to think about self-harm. Fictionalised news also generates subliminal messages that it’s fine to do something similar.”