‘Users have to be aware of tech boundaries’

MUMBAI: Dependence on technology is inevitable, but users have to be aware of boundaries as well, said director and producer Rohit Shetty as well as actor Swara Bhasker, who presented the Hindustan Times scholarships to 60 students from more than 220 schools in the MMR.

“Technology has definitely made making a movie easier, but we all can and should build boundaries to know when to stop depending on technology. The truth is that one cannot escape technology anymore,” said Shetty, sharing his thoughts on the ever growing dependence on all forms of technology in recent times, including social media as well as gadgets.

Bhasker confessed her addiction to her mobile phone and called technology a double-edged sword. “Technology has had a democratising effect on everyone. One doesn’t have to be an actor to be a star or celebrity because the concept of selfies has made everyone a star,” she said. Bhasker also touched upon the need for a balance, and the need to know technology for its advantages and its disadvantages. “There’s a constant self-obsession as well as the inability of people to distinguish a real moment from the social networking world.”

While discussing the disadvantages of technology, Bhasker also pointed at the problems cropping from the “anonymity” in the virtual world.

“Through social media, you can reach the PM of our country or even the US President and that is tremendous power, which can be used well or even misused,” she said.

The questions from the children surprised the guests. Some were more interested in finding out how they manage to balance their professional and personal lives.

“It’s very important to have the support of your family to bring a balance . My professional life is out in the open for everyone to know my every move but I tend to keep my personal life to myself and I know where exactly to draw the line,” said Shetty.

“Success is not always when you get maximum likes on a social media post. Being happy and at peace is more important to be successful,” said Bhasker.

PRAMOD THAKUR/HT PHOTO Success is not always when you get maximum likes on a social media post. Being happy and at peace is more important to be successful, said Bhasker.