When the protest movement against the Lok Pal Bill gained momentum, Hindi film stars did not become fence sitters. Sensing the mood of the public they came out in support of the movement. Even Big B who had, had a rather unsavory experience with politics used his father's poetry to comment on the scenario as it was developing. Aamir Khan, Hrithik Roshan was the most prominent stars who came out openly in support of the movement.
Well, now that the participants have gone back to the drawing board to strategise the future course of action, our film stars and associated participants in the industry have decided to lie low. However, as a part of the civil society, and having immense fan following at that, indeed the time has come for them to take lead and call spade the spade. It would be more in sync with what is being done by the stars in Hollywood. One of the biggest stars of all times in Hollywood, George Clooney has done immense work in Sudan and has single handedly been responsible to make things somewhat better for the war-turned country. It was precisely for this reason that he appeared on the cover page of Newsweek on the issue dated February 28, 2011.
Indeed, Hollywood stars have been working for the social cause for quite a long time, and that too in different parts of the under developed world. Most celebrated example of this kind is Edward Bono, who has emerged as one of the key think tanks having significant bearing on policy pronouncements for developing countries. Other stars that have made their mark include Sean Penn, who has worked to help those who have helped the victims of Haiti, Angelina Jolie, who has been working as the UN's advocate for refugees since 2001, and has visited more than 20 countries for the cause which she is espousing.
As Newsweek's feature had reported, "In the Twitter shortened attention span, fame is an increasingly powerful weapon in diplomacy," and this indeed was the catalytic factor that egged on Aamir Khan and Hrithik Roshan along with Priyanka Chopra, Farah Khan etc to participate in the present movement about Lok Pal Bill by the general public. While the film stars on their own may not be able to make policies, their sheer presence can make the policy makers warm up to the responsibilities assigned to them by the general public, a responsibility that has in general been abdicated by the present day politicians.
The spotlight of public attention that has been generated by the crusade against corruption needs to be accentuated and given nurturing and no better person than a film star to do it. Hope they are listening!
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