The newspapers are blazing with pages full of the supposed power struggle between the two stars.
The power struggle apparently (if the papers are to be believed) is dividing the biggest political leaders, the biggest industrial icons in India.
But can any one tell me what this power struggle is about, struggle for what ? Am I stupid or is this all so silly ..Or does the Media think that the people in India are stupid enough to indulge the supposed ego’s of two cine stars. I know them both. Both as normal as a lifetime of stardom can allow them to be. This feels like a total media creation to me.
But what really got me roaring with laughter were graphs created by political analysts of the relative power of the respective star. And guess what the index of power was based upon ? The value of the brands promoted by each one of them, and the cash they make out of brand endorsements. So Sachin Tendulkar’s power depends not upon his performance on the cricket pitch but on how much he makes from brand endorsements ?
Its seems that 60% of celebrity brands are endorsed by Amitabh and Sharukh – and those that are left are mopped up mostly by Sachin. So are we Indian’s stupid to think that Chavanprash is essential for our health merely because Amitabh Bacchan says so on TV ? Especially when we can safely assume that he has never touched the stuff ? And do we really buy a small car called the Santro because Sharukh Khan says so, knowing that he has a fleet of white BMW’s standing by in his house ?
Hey wake up everyone. I personally am tired of seeing Amitabh’s or Shahrukh’s face peering out of every hoarding and every TV commercial. But that’s their call. I just don’t believe that theirs is a power struggle (that apparently involves the Gandhi family, the Ambani’s and god know who else) that stems from who is the next host of kaun Banega Crorepati.
All this seems to be Star Tv’s way to add to viewership to KBC ,for they are scared to death that the viewrship may fall as Amitabh has left.
Does Sonia Gandhi really care ? Do we ?
Shekhar
Unfortunately the newspapers dish out only what sells. And the content that gets published is the content that sells advertising.
After having lived 8 years in the US, I know that switching on the TV for news will only give me content that gets good ratings. And that means I will only get to watch trash on TV news.
However, I also know that if I read most newspapers, I will get real news and good editorials and good debates.
Unfortunately for India, the only real newspaper is The Hindu.
And TV newsmedia in India today puts even the US newsmedia to shame.
I’ve never watched KBC (being in the UK) but as usual you have prob’ hit the nail on the head as regards a media frenzy whipped up to protect the a*rses of media execs terrified that viewing figures will plummet – god forbid because SRK is running the show ?…surely not…why, he’s too big a star (But exactly HOW big ??)…and can he fill the Amitabh-shaped hole in the listings ??…
And anyway…is this a good career move for SRK or will he merely be viewed as a poor substitute to AB ??…Never….perhaps it might be better to admit that there ‘aint anyone who can fill his shoes adequately and find a complete unknown for the job…or even better, can the show and let them carry on with the day job….they need the money, right ?
I agree Shekhar
who cares? about Amitabh or Shahrukh or how many more millions they are adding to their undeserved?? kitty…
But then why are you blogging about this?
& worse.. why am I responding to so mundane an unimportant an issue?
That surely is the power of the media
Dear Shekhar
Don’t watch the stuff you see, don’t see the hoardings in India, don’t read the entertainment news in Indian newspapers or mags online for the most part. You’re probably right that most of what you’re hearing about is manufactured.
But on a deeper and more private level, I believe there is a personal rivalry between the two, maybe something similar to the challenge of an old, battle-scarred stallion by one who’s younger and stronger. Yet there’s also great love and respect in both men for each other, and a great deal of good humor, too. They are two very interesting and gifted characters. The media trivializes their personal realities. I’m glad I live in the US, and can just view them a little, from a distance. They’re magnificent men. AB is an incredible actor, and if properly directed, SRK is, too. I would so love to see him in a film directed by you.
love, Heath
Dude…
Indian society is still a primitive society! Let’s face it. It is a violent society and its moral, ethical and cultural roots are shattered.
Who is Amitabh…the guy who killed Gabbar Singh. There are people who still believe that Amitabh killed Gabbar Singh in reality.
I live in a city called Pune which is supposed to be known for its intellectual habitat and progressive thinkers.
But in this same quiet and clam city of intellectuals, I know people who can produce an automatic gun with in an hour.
I am not a religious fanatic but I can show you places where fire crackers blast if Pakistan wins even against South Africa in cricket. I can show you places in Pune where people are selling magazines which are not only anti religious but which carry anti national sentiment. I can show you places in Pune where one is scared even to put a step inside if he is Hindu!!! ( Some thing like a setup of ANNA in AGNIPATH where Mr. Amitabh enters to rescue his sister!)
But superficially Pune is a clam and quiet city growing fast and providing a shabby infrastructure to Software companies.
There are newly developed areas where many buildings are occupied by Dawood gang members. CBI, local police and politicians know these facts…but no action is taken…because the city is calm and quite!!!
I have a friend who is a police officer. He was having tea with us at a roadside tapari (stall). Suddenly 3-4 police cars came roaring and took him away as if he is a criminal. Later from much senior officer, I came to know that there was a threat to his life from Dawood gang members and the gang members were some where around the tea stall to shoot him down that day and local police intelligence had this information.
So imagine what could be the condition in the interiors. I went with another friend of mine to his home town (west Maharastra- central state in India) and 60-70 year old people were bowing down and clearing road for us only because my friend belonged to Jamindar family(landlord family) and now a politically strong family. This was one year ago!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And then the political discussions which were going on while we were having dinner was an experience!!! All the brothers, uncles of the family were casually discussing black money and how to raise more funds to buy more votes and how to eliminate opponents right hand even if it means to kill the guy etc. etc. etc. And all these people who were discussing this were highly educated!!! They were discussing complex political theories and ideologies and also buying off vote banks and killing people to clear their way just to gain power to gain more power. And this they call PROGRESS!!!
In such a violent country it hardly matters whether it’s a war between Mr. Shakhrukh and Mr. Amitabh or Shah Rukh and Abhishek Bachhan. It’s a set up to sell their products.
Now days it’s more important that How you say something than What you say!!! So the pretentious world needs known faces to sell their products.
take care…lots of love…kedar
Shekhar,Yes indeed as you rightly said its high time the media stops sensationalising trivial things like these, & takes full responsibility for the ongoing rivalry (more a created one) between the two superstars. Being a media person myself, I know what goes on at the other side of the fence.
Seasons Greetings to You !!
Quite amusing. And what if people actually become averse to buying those products out of sheer allergy. It would all come full circle and be more amusing.
Some buddhist antidote for this material overdose.
http://www.jigmela.org/words/index.htm
Hi Shekhar,
I read your earlier blogs. They are amazing, but then I am not surprised. These come from a man who has created some of the gems.
Herein are my views of this present topic about endorsements of Amitabh and Shahrukh.
I mean personally it does not bother me about who endorses what, how much he earns and all that nonsense. With good control over remote I can avoid seeing them within a flash of second. I always have choice to look at something else other than their large advertisement boards.
But one thing does bother me.
The continous journey of thespian like Amitabh away from the rural mindset. I dont recollect seeing him recently anything other than designer suits, sherwanis. I mean, fine.. one must look good.
But as an actor, one must connect. However fantastic the storyline or acting maybe, it must relate somehow to the viewers.
The rural junta dont even have dreams, forget about realistic representation, abt what amitabh showcases these days.
However loud and pungent the scenes in film like “Mard” (mard ko dard nahi hota) or seemingly simplistic scene of sholay (shakin off the dust from back of his dirty pant and assuring veeru that he would talk with basanti’s mausi..); those scenes were so highly appreciated those days.
I really miss seeing “real” film today. Films of vishal bharadwaj and nagesh kukonoor do provide me some relief. But I do miss films of gulzar, raj kumar santoshi and certain dude called Shekhar kapur.
As for shahrukh.. Well he is just followin what amitabh has fallen into.
I think shahrukh was his best in films like Kabhi haan kabhi naa, DDLj (though it has lot of hamming, but he was kind of cute) and much more likable in that short stint in serial fauji.
I hearby mourn the death of 2 biggest stars in bollywood.
-Satish Kale (SK)
hello mr. kapur
this is to inform you that ‘enlighten society for films’ is starting a film circle on a relatively big scale… we are approaching filmmakers to be a part of it… i want to send you more information about this… how must i get through you…help…
pranav ashar
Listen now don’t get me wrong, SRK and AB, I love them both.
But is there NONE other in India ???
What about Amir ? What a dude he is.
Peace & love
Dayal
p.s. who here thinks Abhishekh Bachchan is talented ?? (and I ask this truthfully and impartially)
I think Abhishekh is now a good actor. When he started off, he was really bad. But thanks to the Dynasty Raj of Bollywood, he kept getting films even though they all kept bombing. Eventually he just learned acting on the job.
I have a theory about Movie Star children. There are two types of star-children-turned-actors.
The first type are those who start off without acting (who look like wooden furniture in every shot) eventually learn acting and have a chance at getting good movies. Abhishek Bachchan, Ajay Devgan and Saif Ali Khan are good examples, Tushar Kapoor is an OK example.
The second type are those who start off with a lot of overacting and hamming. They just stay the way they are movie after movie and people eventually become annoyed with them. Examples are Vivek Oberai and Kareena Kapoor.
i totally agree with u..media is hyping things around. This can be attributed to the fact that most of us enjoy listening to statistics which are quite trivial in nature. This actually does a whole lot of good both for the media or channel that covers it, as viewership increases n also for KBC(in this case) as its viewership will also increase n probably it will earn more viewership than the BIG b gathered.
Well.. Both of them are big brands now but Shahrukh Khan actually does seem to do whatever Amitabh Bachhan has done or is doing. First it was the advertisements then don and now KBC…
This is funny – Colbert takes sides in the Amitabh v/s Shahrukh celebrity fued:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7fEp0MaiWA&mode=related&search=
In the clip he first takes care of the trump-rosie fued, then the madonna-jolie one, and then he moves on to amitabh-shahrukh
Hello,
I came across your blog while checking my own website search terms for certain keywords.
When i read tat who cares which brand these actors androses or which tv series they host, the fact remains that there are die hard fans for both the actors. Why only them, People are always crazy about celebrities and want to have a view of internal lives of those celebs.
Media on the other hand provide news what people want to see. It doesnt matter to them if a limited hand full of people are not willing to see these same news again and again.
To Prove the fact:
I personally dont like Aishwarya and the whole abhishek – ash news are always on headlines or top stories of news channels.
There was a day when media published that ash-abhishek got married. they proved the news by interviewing the pundits and taking their kundli and stuff.
For experimenting I published the same news on my blog and whooooaaaaa…
I am still receiving tons of traffic from visitors searching for ash-abhishek wedding or engagement. I am ranking top on all search engines for these words!!!
And the fact is the post is of just 3 -4 sentences.
That proves how crazy fans are for celebs.
If they werent these crazy how would the movies just run which dont have any stories but have these superstars acting!!!!
hai,
this is dharini here . how u doin? I am a lover of ur style.Everyday its my dream to meet u & talk with u for a certain moments.I loved the way u conduct the new kbc2.I thout of meeting u atleast in the kbc studio but unfortunately i m not so aged .I hop this letter will some how reach to the one reffered.
Hop to meet SRK & SHEKAR soon @ least within a decade.
your fan since birth,
DHARINI
srk referrs to style & action. its beauty the way u conducted kbc
hello shekhar,
why you stopped endorseing brands, you look cool as a print model better than AB , and what went wrong with movie Dil Se as a producer ?
arun, I guess that was a phase of mine that just passed. I was ever really comfortable with seeing my photographs everywhere. also at some time you wonder if u should be endorsing only that which you believe in. Dile Se ? It was Mani’s film, and I was just there to offer support. Shekhar
Hi Shekhar Sir,
I am a great fan of you, perhaps biggest fan out there.
Why you are not making movies now…. I request you to please make a movie with Shahrukh on some sensible issues may be a period movie….
Plz do consider my request and atleast direct a movie.
I feel the Ads are not rated or beleived based on who endorses the brand but on how intresting the ad is actually made(Concepts-thats how my friends & myself discuss)But i also agree there is an extra attraction on the stars who features on the ads.
I agree with Sehkhar on this.All are due to political nexus they have.AB has with SP leader Mulayam and Amar Singh whereas SRK has with Congress.
Well, I have gone through a lot of articles,media about who is better among AB vrs SRK.
First of all,how can you compare ahievement of AB (65 years) vrs achivement of SRK(43 yrs)?
We have to have a reference point.
Then we have to compare what AB was at 43 years to what SRK now is.Then obviosuly SRK doesnot have much to show as acting.
Let us compare both by some parameter.
That is how I always see things.
Actors Comedy Romance Action
—— —— ——- ——
AB Hits Hits Hits
SRK Flops Hits Flops
This is based on the %basis.
SRK is not good at comedies and also worst at action type films.
Now it is for you to decide.
Unfortunately Sir, Indians are stupid enough to buy a commodity based on AB and SRK. And it is not just Indians, it is the whole world which buys products based on brands endorsed by David Beckam, Eva Longoria, Jennifer Lopez, Angelina Jolie and the like.
It is infact true that Nike sales beat all records of Reebok and Addidas merely because Michael Jordan wore it during his matches and everyone wanted to jump like him.
Such is life sir
Shekhar,
You may be tired of Amitabh in literally every ad but not me, my family members, my relatives and friends.
Amitabh is an icon, we are tired of you but cannot be tired of him.
Do not pen your personal opinion in public and limit your self to professional comments.
Hi Shekhar,
I have very small comment on Amitabh and SRk so called rivalry.
Grow up Indian people and grow up media. They are hard working actors. You appreciate their work and that is very it should end. Who is better who is not is like two little kids fighting for pencil. It is really silly. Grow up India.
Vivek
This is funny.
I see Shekhar Kapoor replied to one comment where somebody says “you look cool as a print model better than AB”.
This proves everybody wants to hear good things about himself.
The true fact is there is only one AMITABH BACHCHAN.
And to answer somebody asking if Abhishekh can act, let me tell you , he acted from his very first film “Refugee”.
Specially after GURU, SARKAR and DOSTANA…i guess everybody now know wether he can act or not.
Mr Shekhar,
You look somewhat jealous from the popularity of these two great actors of hindi cinema. Amitabh has given Hindi Cinema a global identity by means of IIFAs. He is the star of the millenium. Shahrukh is the Superstar of today. It is pity to compare Mr Bachchan, a approaching 70s actor with todays booming actor Mr Khan. This only endorse the height of Mr Bachchan.
Mr.Kapur, you are a very talented director of hindi cinema. You have your own place. please do not get irritate with the popularity of Mr Bachchan and Mr Khan.
Thank U