Celebrity Status, Privacy and Human Values

 Last day, while attending a wedding reception, the bride happened to be a close relative of a Malayalam Superstar. Usually, at such occasions, the bride and groom are the ones who receive the celebrity status, capturing everyone's attention. However, with the presence of this superstar, the audience's focus shifted towards him!

Celebrities often yearn for privacy, which is hard to come by in their lifetime, especially in an era where everyone possesses a camera phone and is obsessed with taking selfies. Being in the spotlight is both a blessing and a curse for them. Fans should exercise common sense and avoid intruding into their private space.

In fact, Keralites are generally assumed to have a better understanding of cultural norms and respect for privacy. Years ago, while attending a residential training session in Thrissur, the shooting of the Malayalam movie "Mr. Marumakan" was taking place, featuring a lineup of actors from both Mollywood and Tollywood. The participants of the session came from all over India, including people from Tamil Nadu. We went to catch a glimpse of the ongoing shooting. While the Malayali trainees observed the process from a distance, the other group of Khushbu fans rushed to take photos with her (at a time when cameras were scarce). They wondered why we didn't try to take pictures with Dileep and other stars. A mature person from our group reflected that "they earn their livelihood through acting, just as we do through business." That's the reality!

"Aysha," the latest Malayalam movie, portrays the life of Nilambur Aysha, a woman from rural Nilambur who was a born actress. She abandons her dream of becoming a dramatist and spends her later years abroad, serving the queen mother of a royal Arab family. She must stay away from the stage and don the role of a housekeeper in the drama of life. As life progresses in the desert land, she is recognized by shopkeepers during her off-time in the market.

She becomes fearful and anxious about her job in the royal family thereafter. Although luck is on her side, allowing her to continue as a housekeeping staff, she is eventually compelled to resign as the audience demands her return to the stage. She is caught in a tug of war between stardom and her commitment to the royal family and Mama, who depends on Aysha and loves her more than anyone else. 

Vloggers have emerged as a new category of "fans" who delve into the personal lives of individuals and everything else in order to gain more ratings and viewership. But where is the human value in such actions? Aysha, on the other hand, was willing to give up her celebrity life and all its love and affection for Mama. She didn't yearn for "followers" and "viewers."

When Aysha was forced out of the royal house by Mama, who prioritized her acting career, Aysha swore that there are certain people who are irreplaceable. This belief was initially disputed by Mama. However, eventually, Mama realizes and acknowledges that no one can take Aysha's place, and she returns to take care of Mama until his passing. It is during this time that Aysha notices her hair has turned gray. She upholds human values above material fortune.

We can cultivate a habit of not being overly obsessed or attracted to celebrity status. Instead, let's consider them as ordinary individuals and respect their personal space. In today's world, there is a lack of human values. Aysha's story exemplifies the importance of valuing genuine relationships and human connections over superficial fame and popularity. 

Ms. Saritha. K, Head, Department of English, Al Shifa College of Arts and Science, Kizhattoor, Perinthalmanna