Your Friendly Philosopher & Guide

PMK leader Ramadoss shot to fame only by pulling celebrities into controversies. He never had any ideologies for himself or his party that could make him big. First he wanted Kamal Hasan to change his move name, and then he wanted all the Tamil actors to avoid endorsing cigarettes and alcohol in movies. Rajini Kanth was too naïve. He stopped flicking his cigarettes, and instead he has started throwing chewing gums here and there. Looks funny, but then it is Rajini – so I accept. But I was wondering if Schindler of Schindler’s list chewed bubble instead of smoking. The whole characterization would have gone down the drain. Schindler would have looked a nut I am sure.

I drink beer but I don’t drink because I have seen some celebrity having it on the silver screen. I am an ardent fan of Rajini Kanth from the day I know myself – but I haven’t puffed a single cigarette in my life. And just a few days back – I read a story, which said – in India most people die smoking bidis! And who endorses bidis on the silver screen?

Recently Ramadoss wanted Amitabh Bacchan to stop endorsing cigarettes and alcohol in movies. And AB wrote a post beautifully, which said – if politicians are so bothered about tobacco and alcohol – why don’t they have a complete ban on those industries. Our grandparents smoked and drank too – whom did they try to imitate? Instead government should spend more money to educate people.

In fact it is like this - the government wants to run a brothel and make money out of it but want celebrities to stop kissing or hugging on the silver screen thinking it might influence human minds!

I personally feel that people have brains. And they have the ability to differentiate between what is good for them and what is not. I am sure not a single government employee has stopped taking bribe even after watching the movie Indian. And not a single Indian has come out with all his black money even after watching the movie Sivaji.

Movies of course influence us, but not to the extent that we change ourselves. But I surely will pray that someday movies should influence people for the betterment of the society, and not otherwise.

PS - Democracy is not where the people should listen to the politician but it is the other way round. Politicians should listen to the people.