Amitabh Bachchan, a film star of worshipped by millions lands in a hospital one day. Media bosses, deprived of news are overjoyed and soon the event is at the center stage of prime news feeds and front page of newspapers. People tired with the over reporting of Abu Salem, the don extradited from Portugal, initially welcomed this change. No sooner than the TRP’s of news channels began rise, so overfed the masses were with Amitabh (big B) that the newspapers report a drop in the number of people watching Kaun Banega Crorepati 2, one of the most watched TV show in India hosted by Amitabh Bachchan.
Why the film stars in our country are treated like gods and goddesses is a question not difficult to answer. In this overpopulated country filled with individuals fighting for their survival, watching the heroes in movies, the ones who rise from ordinary situations to become rich and popular, becomes the hope and idol for the most. Mythological figures of Indian culture and the deities worshipped in India have stories filled with their heroic deeds, and it is not difficult to relate them with the movie stars.
Contemporary movies are more real-life stories and are based on practical fiction. There is a lesser element of ‘supernatural’ or ‘emotional’ heroism by the lead actors. Consequently, I believe today’s film stars, although glorified or iconized, are not treated like gods. In fact some of them the mainstream stars are performing the hitherto unspeakable roles, such as ones depicting homosexuality.
Renaissance in Bollywood, the largest film maker in the world will lead to drastic increase in viewership and boosting of box office collections overseas. Entertainment industry is poised to demonstrate the fastest growth in coming decade.
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