BREAKING RULES TO EXERCISE RIGHTS
Is It A Sense Of Entitlement Or Fan Frenzy That Makes Celebrities Feel More Equal Than Others?
Neeraja.Ramesh@timesgroup.com
Chennai 25.04.2019
Cast your vote at any cost seemed to be the message of some Tamil Nadu film stars on polling day last week. While actor Sivakarthikeyan ‘managed’ to cast his vote despite his name missing from the voters’ list, actor Srikanth, who accompanied his wife, was also able to vote though his name was missing from the list. Theirs was hardly an honest vote and their social media posts about how they ‘fought’ for their right was hardly an example to emulate.
A video clip of the otherwise imageconscious Ajith Kumar jumping the queue to get inked and being confronted by irate women voters went viral. Actor Trisha, an ambassador of a plethora of social causes, came under criticism for having used her grandmother as an excuse to jump the queue. Her parked car blocking the entrance of the polling booth became a topic of discussion on social media. While Tamil Nadu stars seem to be setting a bad example for good conduct this election, in neighbouring Kerala, mega star Mohan Lal patiently waited in queue for an hour to cast his vote.
But in a country where fan frenzy is the norm, celebrity spotting during the biggest carnival of democracy is a reality. In the polling booths where film stars were supposed to exercise their franchise, voters made it their priority to get the celeb selfie right. In some polling centres a few fans were seen chasing actors for a click, while others posed as party workers to get close to them. So does the onus of making the actors feel more at ease around public not lie with the people as well?
The culture of treating actors like demigods could be the root of the problem. Observers say special treatment for celebrities works both ways, it is the entitled star as much as the star-struck fan who is responsible for the idolatry and mindset that no rules apply to them.
Actor-politician Khushbu says every citizen is expected to follow a certain decorum when it comes to places like polling booths. There are places like the airport where, at a premium, celebrities have the option of avoiding attention. The election process, which comes with great responsibility, is a leveller. “In the interest of one’s image and dignity it would be appreciated if celebrities have a responsible approach and follow due diligence during voting,” she says.
Popularity comes with a price, says film critic Subaguna Rajan. “It is hypocritical of actors to cast votes when their names don’t figure on the voters list. Jumping queues shows arrogance and disregard for commoners. It is unusual for Ajith Kumar to behave in this way. He is someone who stands apart from other celebrities and is known for his simplicity and straightforwardness. Perhaps, this time something could have triggered the actor or maybe officials at the polling booth could have wanted to avoid mayhem and forced him to exit the centre quickly,”
says Subaguna Rajan, who voted in the same booth as Ajith in Valmiki Nagar.
While poll officials who allowed actor Srikanth to vote have been taken to task and an election commission inquiry ordered, the actor in his defence says, “I went to do my duty at the booth in Saligramam. Yes, I did change my address and had submitted all the necessary documents. But after waiting for my turn for one-and-a-half hours was told that my name was missing. But officials told me I could cast my vote after I signed a ledger. If at all there is anybody to be blamed for this mess, it is not me but the election officials,” says the actor, who feels celebrities are soft targets.
Agreeing that the perks of being a celebrity also bring the responsibility of using it judiciously, Nadigar Sangam trustee Kutti Padmini says, “Using star power at the right moment is a judgment call. There is nothing wrong in waiting in a queue, but fan frenzy is also a reality. Unpleasant experiences force actors to be on guard. Now more actors come out to vote like any other citizen. This is a positive trend. Stray incidents should not be reason to paint a negative picture of actors.” Mobbing celebrities not only makes the situation uncomfortable for them but also puts them on a pedestal and makes them feel indispensable. A balanced approach perhaps can emerge if priorities are reoriented, she says. Despite repeated calls and messages to Nadigar Sangam president Nasser regarding the issue, there was no response.
Email your feedback to southpole.toi@timesgroup.com
I was tempted to take a selfie with Jyothika, who was with Surya and Karthi. Somehow, I overcame the temptation and did my duty. Actors are like any other professionals, we should learn to respect their space
— Jayanthi Srinivasan | VOTER
I went to the polling booth early in the morning. It is natural to get mobbed by fans who see us in person. But I waited in queue. If I didn’t want a selfie, I politely declined and if I was in a mood I agreed. I made sure I had all papers with me to avoid confusion
— Khushbu | ACTOR-POLITICIAN
Is It A Sense Of Entitlement Or Fan Frenzy That Makes Celebrities Feel More Equal Than Others?
Neeraja.Ramesh@timesgroup.com
Chennai 25.04.2019
Cast your vote at any cost seemed to be the message of some Tamil Nadu film stars on polling day last week. While actor Sivakarthikeyan ‘managed’ to cast his vote despite his name missing from the voters’ list, actor Srikanth, who accompanied his wife, was also able to vote though his name was missing from the list. Theirs was hardly an honest vote and their social media posts about how they ‘fought’ for their right was hardly an example to emulate.
A video clip of the otherwise imageconscious Ajith Kumar jumping the queue to get inked and being confronted by irate women voters went viral. Actor Trisha, an ambassador of a plethora of social causes, came under criticism for having used her grandmother as an excuse to jump the queue. Her parked car blocking the entrance of the polling booth became a topic of discussion on social media. While Tamil Nadu stars seem to be setting a bad example for good conduct this election, in neighbouring Kerala, mega star Mohan Lal patiently waited in queue for an hour to cast his vote.
But in a country where fan frenzy is the norm, celebrity spotting during the biggest carnival of democracy is a reality. In the polling booths where film stars were supposed to exercise their franchise, voters made it their priority to get the celeb selfie right. In some polling centres a few fans were seen chasing actors for a click, while others posed as party workers to get close to them. So does the onus of making the actors feel more at ease around public not lie with the people as well?
The culture of treating actors like demigods could be the root of the problem. Observers say special treatment for celebrities works both ways, it is the entitled star as much as the star-struck fan who is responsible for the idolatry and mindset that no rules apply to them.
Actor-politician Khushbu says every citizen is expected to follow a certain decorum when it comes to places like polling booths. There are places like the airport where, at a premium, celebrities have the option of avoiding attention. The election process, which comes with great responsibility, is a leveller. “In the interest of one’s image and dignity it would be appreciated if celebrities have a responsible approach and follow due diligence during voting,” she says.
Popularity comes with a price, says film critic Subaguna Rajan. “It is hypocritical of actors to cast votes when their names don’t figure on the voters list. Jumping queues shows arrogance and disregard for commoners. It is unusual for Ajith Kumar to behave in this way. He is someone who stands apart from other celebrities and is known for his simplicity and straightforwardness. Perhaps, this time something could have triggered the actor or maybe officials at the polling booth could have wanted to avoid mayhem and forced him to exit the centre quickly,”
says Subaguna Rajan, who voted in the same booth as Ajith in Valmiki Nagar.
While poll officials who allowed actor Srikanth to vote have been taken to task and an election commission inquiry ordered, the actor in his defence says, “I went to do my duty at the booth in Saligramam. Yes, I did change my address and had submitted all the necessary documents. But after waiting for my turn for one-and-a-half hours was told that my name was missing. But officials told me I could cast my vote after I signed a ledger. If at all there is anybody to be blamed for this mess, it is not me but the election officials,” says the actor, who feels celebrities are soft targets.
Agreeing that the perks of being a celebrity also bring the responsibility of using it judiciously, Nadigar Sangam trustee Kutti Padmini says, “Using star power at the right moment is a judgment call. There is nothing wrong in waiting in a queue, but fan frenzy is also a reality. Unpleasant experiences force actors to be on guard. Now more actors come out to vote like any other citizen. This is a positive trend. Stray incidents should not be reason to paint a negative picture of actors.” Mobbing celebrities not only makes the situation uncomfortable for them but also puts them on a pedestal and makes them feel indispensable. A balanced approach perhaps can emerge if priorities are reoriented, she says. Despite repeated calls and messages to Nadigar Sangam president Nasser regarding the issue, there was no response.
Email your feedback to southpole.toi@timesgroup.com
I was tempted to take a selfie with Jyothika, who was with Surya and Karthi. Somehow, I overcame the temptation and did my duty. Actors are like any other professionals, we should learn to respect their space
— Jayanthi Srinivasan | VOTER
I went to the polling booth early in the morning. It is natural to get mobbed by fans who see us in person. But I waited in queue. If I didn’t want a selfie, I politely declined and if I was in a mood I agreed. I made sure I had all papers with me to avoid confusion
— Khushbu | ACTOR-POLITICIAN
