Lure of the Limelight?: Blog # 38

Lure of the Limelight?

                    I was watching Ustad hotel, a (must watch) Malayalam movie. Then this very popular song came up and people went beserk. People were screaming. It was sheer madness. Akhila, my sister sitting next to me told “Imagine how those actors will feel when they see this kind of appreciation! What a high it must be!” That got me thinking.

                 Getting in to a creative field is risky – in every sense. To begin with, it is a very niche sector – it’s like opting for extreme specialization. The chances of success are miniscule. Shelf life is shorter than that of a milk carton. Yes, there is a monetary aspect to it. But again, the cash flow from this kind of profession is anything but constant.  Then why do some people get in to the creative stream of work?

               Is it the thunderous applause that drives them? Is it the hoots and whistles of appreciation? Is it the roaring welcome of the crowd that they enjoy? Is it the lure of  lime light and the attention? Let’s delve deeper.

              I was going through a film magazine and found this interview of an debutant heroine. She said, shortly after her film was released, people were walking up to her at the airport striking up conversations and complete strangers were smiling at her. Initially, she found it strange and then it dawned on her that it is the image that people are connecting with. So is it this image that allures them? Is it the identity that this image brings along which people enjoy?

           Is it the small doses of reaffirmations which keep these people going? For instance, people walking up to an actor/actress and saying they liked their performance or saying the same to a musician or a writer?            

           Our society finds it extremely difficult to accept a person who doesn’t fit the mould. But, there are certain exceptions. Being in a creative channel is the easiest way of getting that. It gives the luxury of being different and still being accepted.

            Also, people always look up to others who can do something which they themselves cannot. This translates in to affection and then acceptance. It is this acceptance that urges the creative people to take these risks. And when this acceptance happens, all the risk taken is worth it.

             I think it’s a little bit about all of the above things which boils down to acceptance.

        Have you seen the recent Ad of Maggi noodles? It is exactly this concept of acceptance that they have banked on. Watch it closely the next time you see it on TV.

Arun Babu

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