Political
Reforms
Why are film stars joining Politics in droves?
As the fifteenth general elections for national parliament gathers steam, film stars are in greatest demand for contesting elections. In the first decade after IndiaⳠindependence, film stars at best could aspire to be nominated as MPs in the Rajya Sabha in the category of eminent persons from art, science or culture. Those were the days when heavy stalwarts mushroomed in all political parties and the idea of film stars, however good they may have been, joining politics may have been an anathema for the political parties.
As the decline of almost all national and regional parties began at a heavy pace since the 1980s, correspondingly demand for the film starts, initially for just campaigning and subsequently as contestants, started growing. There are other reasons as highlighted below as to why film starts are in greatest demand on the eve of IndiaⳠfifteenth general elections.
Firstly, most of the political parties are now dynastic organisations, which inhibit attracting good and bright people into politics. The very idea of reservation for the top job in the organisation on a permanent basis without any term limit is abhorrent for any right thinking person. Once the political parties cannot get the right kind of people, the obvious choice for them is to seek support from other categories of people, who would shut their eyes to the dynastic politics and yet be useful to those parties. Film stars definitely fit into this category.
Secondly, most of the film starts as they reach early to mid forties can no longer continue to work in films as the main protagonists. But, they still have star value, which can fetch good dividends for the political parties, who need star campaigners during elections. (But whether the face value of those stars gets converted into votes is a moot question.)
Thirdly, film starts also have lots of money (of both colours, white and black), which they can usefully utilise in elections as contestants. We all know that fighting parliamentary elections in a metropolitan city may cost up to Rs 4-5 crores. For contestants in non- metro areas, this figure could be little less (may be up to 2 crores). This initial expenditure may be a peanut for a film star, which may produce good dividend later by way of some good business deals.
The other reasons why film stars are getting in to politics pertain to the decline of the political parties themselves, which are getting depleted of good talent. The ideology factor for political parties has virtually vanished and in the name of development agenda, which has as many variants as the leaders themselves, the other issues are not being debated. Members of parties are thus not expected to have any social, political or managerial knowledge. Political parties no longer focus on development of knowledge within their own organisations. Hence educated and talented people are not really required. In the prevailing vacuum, film starts fill in the growing bankruptcy within the political organizations.
Sixthly, film stars still have a useful life span of more than 30 years left after they exit the film industry. Of course, many enter into business ventures and these days electronic media (TV) offers a good source of employment for them to entertain people. But getting into parliament is still a more prestigious job for them and for the rest of their life, they can enjoy the perks and privileges as a Member of Parliament.
Going by the current trend, it may not a surprise if within the next twenty years, we may see Karishma Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, Dipika Padukone, Shahrukh Khan, Salman Khan, Amir Khan, Preity Zinta, Shilpa Shetty, Manisha Koirala, Katrina Kaif, Priyanka Chopra, Ameesha Patel, Rani Mukherjee, Aishwarya Rai Bachhan, Raveena Tandon, Arbaz Khan, Neha Dhupia, Rakhi Sawant, Hema Malini, Jaya Prada, Govinda, Akshay Kumar, Sohail Khan, Ajay Devgun, Nana Patekar, Vivek Oberoi, Rajesh Khanna, Dharmendra, Shatrughna Sinha, Anil Kapoor, Boby Deol, Sunny Deol, Paresh Rawal, Bipasa Basu, Malika Sahrawat etc. all sitting as Hon⢬e Members of Parliament (or some may even become ministers), deliberating on countryⳠpolicies on finance, home, external affairs, floriculture, Rural Development, human resources, education, agriculture, industry, railways, tourism and national threat to security.
God save this country!
|
