Indian news watchers are torn into different segments, many who are saddened by the suicide of Sushant Singh Rajput. The second are those who are certain about the deep influence of the drugs mafia in Bollywood. The third are those who are certain that the death was a murder, and consequently starting a hunt for probable faces of the killer. Rhea Chakravarty, the girlfriend of Sushant, fitted the bill well. Soon emerged a new set of people, lamenting over the abuse of woman characterized as a drug pusher, stealer of Sushant’s fortunes, a crafty witch and what not.
And there was Arnab Goswami, who from his inherent investigative skills was more than sure that the Mumbai police were hiding the facts, ostensibly because of the involvement of State political leader. It is difficult to maintain a tempo on a story that would not have merited more than three or four repeats, and most other TV channels initially ignored the death of the star, beyond being dismissive and sad of the suicide. The TRPs of Republic TV Channel woke all from the slumber and rushed to the scene of the crime. We see now a non-stop eighty-six days of the telecast, extending to the dead actor’s cooks, servants, drivers, gym trainer, remotely connected village pals et al.
But for the media, this story would have been buried in the maze of another ‘suicide case and closed.’
True to the spirit of any ‘Sena,’ loosely translated as an army, Shiv Sena stood firm in attacking disparagingly the Bihar police, who came out to investigate the death of one of their natives. The Sena and the Mumbai police also threw their weight to support Rhea, the victimized soul. A competition channel was commissioned to do a lengthy interview of Sushant’s girlfriend.
The melee by the Mumbai Police, the Bihar cops, the CBI sleuths, the courts, the politicians and the Bollywood stars were not to be missed out as all and sundry gave bytes. Kangana Ranaut, another outspoken and daredevil actor, grabbed the limelight criticizing the druglords of Bollywood and the Sena Parivar. The Sena mandarins, in the most predictable and boorish manner, retorted, threatening Kangana if she dared to step into Maharashtra. The Sena stand was music to the ears of BJP, watching from the sidelines. The Congress leaders too were rattled by an unrepentant Sena, as the Centre announced a 24×7 ‘Y’ category security to Kangana. The demented Bombay Municipal Corporation, regardless of the political fallout, went berserk and today demolished a portion of Kangana’s Mumbai office, alleging illegal construction. The court has halted the demolition and has summoned the BMC seeing explanations.
Sushant suicide is momentarily forgotten as the scene has developed into an absorbing thriller. Bigger players from the shadows are stepping in as the stakes are becoming bigger. Kangana is an agent provocateur, and Shiv Sena has fallen victim by their characteristic arrogance.
It will be interesting to see how many of those championing free speech come out to comment against the blatant misuse of power by the Sainiks. The story has not ended, as more episodes are to come, keeping our dull, dormant Covid times spirited.
Sampath Kumar
Intrépide Voix
