The importance of being earnest – and Amitabh Bachchan

In Aarakshan, Amitabh Bachchan plays an idealist teacher who despises the caste system, but questions the pertinence of reservations. Image courtesy Aarakshan official website

In his forthcoming film ‘Aarakshan‘, Amitabh Bachchan plays an idealist teacher who despises the caste system, but questions the pertinence of reservations, says The Times of India.

Speaking at St Xavier’s College, Kolkata, the actor said, according to the ToI report, “Since it has been endorsed by the Supreme Court and the Parliament and sanctioned by laws, Indians have no choice but to obey and accept it. But we need to assess whether it’s really helping uplift the backward classes or widening the rift between the privileged and the have-nots. Also, we must find out if commercialisation of education is the result of a mad race for seats triggered by reservation.”

With reservation being an issue that affects the lives of every Indian, and commercialisation of education, too, of significant concern to Indians, Bachchan’s drawing attention to the issues is no small matter.

Unless, of course, he is drawing attention not to reservation and the commercialisation of education, but to the film ‘Aarakshan’, which launches on 12 August.

A few years ago, when the award-winning ‘Paa’ was set to launch, Bachchan underlined that the film, which rested on a character with progeria, was not designed to draw attention to the ailment. “But the film is not about the disease,” Bachchan had then said clearing the air, “It’s about relationships. It just happens that the kid in the film suffers from progeria. We aren’t creating awareness for the disease,” said a report in The Times of India.

With reservation being an issue that affects the lives of every Indian, and commercialisation of education, too, of significant concern to Indians, Bachchan’s drawing attention to the issues is no small matter. Rupak De Chowdhuri/Reuters

Well, that did clear the air. We know that Bachchan’s statements about progeria were only in the context of the film; that he did not consciously intend to draw attention to the disease.

He may not have intended to, but that’s what he achieved.

“Two brothers, Ikramul Khan and Ali Hussain who are suffering from progeria, a disease that accelerates ageing process, say their last wish is to meet Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan and thank him for creating awareness about it,” reported NDTV.

Ali did, finally, get his wish. His brother didn’t, succumbing to progeria. Bachchan later wrote on his blog: “Master Ali, the only surviving member of this progeria ridden family came over from Kolkata, as I had promised. Such a joy to see the actual Auro, to be able to feel his emotion and his spirit and strength. He was cool and suave and most unconcerned about his condition, even though he had just lost his elder brother some months ago, also afflicted by the disease. The father told me a few other children of his had all passed away in similar fashion. His mother kept crying through out the meeting. What can one say at moments like this? It is so difficult to face the moment. You smile and give hope and the confidence that all will be well, when in fact we know that it will not.”

When Bachchan signed a contract as brand ambassador for the Narendra Modi ruled state of Gujarat, there was an instant outcry, provoking Bachchan to write on his blog. “You want to stop me from promoting tourism in a state because you have reason to believe that there are political connotations to the event. This is such rubbish! All I shall be doing will be working in a short film that shall highlight the various places of interest in the state, so that it encourages more tourists to visit the region,” Bachchan posted.

Seven years earlier, in 2003, Bachchan was roped in as brand ambassador for the Mulayam Singh ruled state of Uttar Pradesh.

“Amar Singh, chairman of the state industrial development council and a family friend of the Bachchans, told reporters that Amitabh has agreed to be the brand ambassador of Uttar Pradesh “so that we can improve the industrial climate of the state”, reported The Economic Times.

Bachchan came under flak here as well.

In an interview with Outlook, Bachchan was asked why he was promoting the Samajwadi Party and UP when he had earlier said that politics was a ‘cesspool’.

“I maintain I am not in politics. As brand ambassador for UP, appointed by an authorised body, the UP Development Council, I am promoting the state — talking about its progress, development and, in turn, inviting investment. In subsequent ads, I also quote the Central Report on Crime, which states that the overall crime rate in UP is less than in other states. This is a report from the home ministry of the country which is not run by the SP but the Congress. The ads were done to rectify a wrong belief that crime in UP is the highest in the country,” answered Bachchan.

Writing on his blog some years on, Bachchan posted, “But I am happy to state that when I came on board there were over 700 cases of polio, and from recent reports the figure has come down to single digits, which is exciting to know. At least something that I was associated with came through correctly.

“Very sophisticated equipments now exist in the medical field and timely medication and care does and can save your child from this ailment. So do your bit spread the word as much as possible. Do take the prevention medication during the first five years of the child to prevent the onslaught of this dreaded ailment….”

One could illustrate this article with any number of examples of the cause and effect of statements made by Bachchan – intended or unintended.

When even statements that he does not intend to have an impact do, indeed, have an impact, Bachchan needs to clarify his stance. In the current instance, for example, he needs to spell out in no ambiguous terms what he means when he says, “But we need to assess whether it’s really helping uplift the backward classes or widening the rift between the privileged and the have-nots.” Is he pro-reservation? Anti-reservation?

Or is he just acting in a film, not intending to draw attention to the issue.

The problem is, even if he is just acting in the film, attention will be drawn to any statement by Bachchan in the context of reservation – because he is Amitabh Bachchan.

Even before the launch, the subject matter – reservations – is stirring debate and controversy. “The provision for reservation is enshrined in the Constitution. The policy has the sanction of the country’s Parliament, be it for the Dalits, adivasis, OBCs or women. Political parties are in favour of quotas. Various sections have waged protracted battles to secure reservation. In this context, if a movie takes an anti-reservation stand, it is likely to fuel anti-quota propaganda, and protests are bound to take place across the country,” said Chhagan Bhujbal, Maharashtra Public Works Department (and Other Backward Classes leader) from the Nationalist Congress Party to journalists.

This is too big and volatile an issue to flirt with – and now, with the film Aarakshan, Amitabh Bachchan is in the cauldron.  And being Amitabh Bachchan is being very powerful and influential – which means he needs to, consciously, always show a great sense of responsibility.

A few careless statements, and he could become the brand ambassador for the pro-reservation movement – or for the anti-reservation movement. And, as in the case of progeria, he might have no control over the outcome.