GUL PANAG ON WHY ACTORS HAVE TO STAY MUM
Actor Gul Panag (right) says Indian celebrities do take a stand on issues but have to be prepared for the backlash. She feels that one has to be very strong to withstand the massive opposition they might face for voicing an opinion. “Indian stars do take a stand, look at what you do to them once they do. The backlash that comes, you have to be prepared for it and I think (you) really grow a thick skin as well,” Gul says.
“But then the bread and butter gets affected because the power of the public narrative is such. My point is, the reason a lot of famous people will not take a stand is because of the fact that they would probably be unpopular.”
Recently, Hollywood actor Meryl Streep’s speech criticising US President-elect Donald Trump was highly praised. Several celebrities, both in Hollywood and Bollywood, raved about her brave comment.
Her speech, however, also drew comparison with Indian stars, with several people questioning whether the Indian film industry can take a political stand like that as well. In the past, stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir, Salman have faced backlash owing to their comments on issues of the country and recently on row over Pakistani actors working in Hindi films.
Citing an example of a friend, a “successful Bollywood actor who took a particular view on Pakistani actors not being welcomed in Indian films”, Gul says he has been “ostracised by the ‘liberals’.” She adds that the situation is so bad that her actor-friend has been shunned even by the industry.
“I think everybody should have an opinion but the fact is that he has been ostracised by the film industry at large for having that opinion.”
When actors voice their opinion, there is a chance that their bread and butter gets affected GUL PANAG, ACTOR