Caught a bit of 'Fame X' on Sab TV. Judge Ganesh Hegde talks passionately about the days when he used to dance on the roads - so people would notice his talent. Motormouth Cyrus Broacha is sitting next to him, with a straight face. The kind you need to practice for several hours...
No, it's not going to make any major waves but there is enough interest in this whole 'mom, watch me get famous' business to produce some TRPs. Maybe not enough though, which is probably why Palash Sen walked out of the show. Blaming it on
'principles'.
However, there's an interesting twist to the 'fame game'. Even as channels produce more singing-dancing-tell a joke kind of shows to uncover new 'talent', there's a parallel route to getting famous. Creating a 'world record'.
Star News had an interesting story on this phenomenon. A 21 year old by the name Sania Sayyed in Khandwa (a small town in MP) is apparently attempting a record by singing for 131 hours straight. She had previously 'successfully' created a record for 65 hours of continuous singing. However, this was broken by one 'Deepak' who did 100 hours. Saniya is now attempting to 'win back' the record.
Simultaneously we have Aditi Gupta of Indore, a class 12 student who is attempting to 'dance non-stop' for 85 hours. Her mother proudly stated that during rehearsals Aditi demonstrated that she could dance continuously, all night, 3 nights in a row. This apparently convinced sponsors that she could achieve the 85 hour record.
Here's the thing: Sania does not sing that well, and Aditi is not a great dancer. I'm saying this based on the clips which appeared on TV. Or maybe by the time cameras captured their performance they were tired and listless, so it's not quite fair to comment.
The point is, creating a world record is not a smart career move which may get you noticed in Bollywood. It's something which, at best, gets you pics in your local paper. And felicitation from 'Agarwal Sweets' or equivalent.
Oh, of course it did get picked up by Star News, which must be the greatest moment in the lives of these anonymous young people and their families. Never mind if the channel did not give a very positive spin. Short of using the word 'shoshan' (exploitation) they pretty much painted a sorry picture of pushy parents and desperate youngsters.
In doing so, they provided the very oxygen that will lead more Saniyas and Aditis to attempt bizarre records. In the hope of creating some kind of unique identity for themselves. Something to be 'known for' even as their lives follow the mundanities of a million others. Something to tell their grandchildren.
At the end of the day we all want to feel we are more than a speck of sand in the universe... That our presence on this planet made some kind of difference. Hota hai ya nahin yeh alag baat hai, but hey - you can't blame them for trying!
It shows some kind of drive and determination - even if misdirected. Which is more than what could be said to exist in sleepy little towns, not too long ago!
these day everyone wants to be famous but do not want to take long route. i m from indore and have been watching young talent trying to make new record. it all started when a girl sung nonstop for 65 hour last month and got quick fame along with lots of prizes. it all lured others to follow the path and now dancing record is also on path. i do not see any point if one can not give quality performance. only purpose it solve is to get some picture in local newspaper and fame that dont last long.
ReplyDeletesad thing is that family of these children are also in support. they should rather give time to sharp their skill and come up with quality performance.
This explains that our country has many BUDHIAs who are made to run for records fame and money.Reason-(1)Eagerness to become rich and famous overnight (2)POVERTY
ReplyDeleteYour last paragraph pretty much sums up what I was thinking right before. Yes, it may be misplaced, may be wrong for health, may not do anything in long run, but hey, at least people have courage and guts to try. An effort at least, and with it the feeling of confidence. All hard workers with genuine intentions with no harm to rest of the world must be appreciated, irrespective of the outcome of their work. -Ashish
ReplyDeleteI am not sure why this is surprising.
ReplyDeleteIn 1979 Andy Warhol said: "...my prediction from the sixties finally came true: In the future everyone will be famous for fifteen minutes."
This is 2006, going on 2007. The 'future' is here. Surprised?
There are some genuine and hardworking people in small towns too!!
ReplyDeleteEvery bodywants there 15 mins..and media is their best friend!India Today's latest cover runs a story on the same lines..
ReplyDeleteHey ..you should have told me this before that this was the easiest way of getting famous..Would have created a record of sleeping in the max number of lectures continous
ReplyDeletehi i like ur blog very much
ReplyDeleteyou thoughts on KBC 3 ?
ReplyDeleteACICHello
ReplyDeleteI AM NEW TO WORL OF BLOGGER
Fame, lame or not, is always welcome. And increasingly today, communications like press and TV have progressed by leaps and bounds.
ReplyDeleteFor most of us, life is pretty mundane. And if one gets the chance to get attention and spotlight due to such shows, why not? Especially for those from small towns, the temptation is too much.
As for failure, well at least we have tried our level best is the attitude. Naturally, in areas like singing and dancing, everyone cannot become another Lata Mangeshkar or Asha Bhonsle or Kanak Rele.
The winner in such competitions, is usually content with the fame that comes from winning. If there are any side benefits, so be it.
The only positive aspect from all these shows is that, we are being exposed to the huge reservoir of talent, that exists in our country.
Apart from that, todays attitude is, "Fame & Name make it a true Power Game!!"
WEll some other people commit crime to get famous, come commit hoaxes.
ReplyDeleteAny thing for fame.
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