Mid-Day Opinion: Don’t expect anything of Aamir Khan

Sonam Wangchuk and a medical professional on the 19th day of his indefinite hunger strike during the Cockroach Janata Party’s (CJP) protest, demanding the Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination at Jantar Mantar, in New Delhi on Thursday. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke (in black) is also present. Pic/PTI

I am often surprised when we expect people we admire, or look up to, to take a stand on issues that matter to us. It's so sweet of us to think that artistes we are fans of, or influencers we follow, will do the right thing, which is often the tough thing to do.

There are a few discourses on social media right now about this. One set is upset with Aamir Khan for not supporting Sonam Wangchuk, who is on a hunger strike right now, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and protesting against alleged irregularities and paper leaks in the NEET-UG medical entrance exam. It's because Wangchuk's work is associated with the inspiration for the Phunsukh Wangdu character in 3 Idiots, although Wangchuk himself has distanced himself from said character. Main point here is that people believe that if Aamir gained appreciation for playing that character, then he should speak up.

The other set is angry with influencers like Rida Tharana, Mansi Ugale, Sakshi Shivdasani, and many more about their marketing and promotional videos for Meta glasses, while ignoring the ethical concerns. These concerns include these glasses normalising surveillance and raising safety issues for women who could be recorded without their permission.

So my question is for the followers, the fans, the gentle readers who are asking all these questions of these famous people who are getting money, admiration, and fame for doing what they do - why are you expecting so much?

Who told you that a celebrity has become famous because they are people who stand up against injustice in the world? Why would you think someone who has a platform with hundreds and thousands of followers will use that platform to ask questions of big tech? Especially when the big tech in question is paying them to do a collaboration! Why would you feel that people in the limelight feel they should give back more than they get?

It's sad, but it's true. We can't expect our celebrities and influencers to stand up for anything, because they just can't afford to. Sometimes they don't care, sometimes they don't have any opinions, and sometimes they don't have the courage to bear the consequences that come with taking a stand. As far as influencers go, their content is up for sale. They will make a video on Meta glasses, if Meta is paying them well. That's their business model. You give them money, they make content. Why would you expect anything from them?

If you, my angry reader with a conscience, want people you follow, or watch movies of, to stand up for your cause, then maybe start following different kinds of people. It's time to not fall for Khan's theatrics the next time a new movie of his is releasing. It's time to not only follow influencers who are trying to sell you stuff - however much they talk of feminism, or human rights.

I have been reading and watching videos about Swiss psychiatrist and psychotherapist Carl Jung's concepts. And usually they can be used in the context of romantic, familial, friendly or professional relationships, but I would say they apply in these parasocial relationships as well. A parasocial relationship is a "one-sided psychological bond where a person feels a strong, intimate connection with a public figure, fictional character, or online personality they do not actually know".

Jung called our "persona" the mask we present to society. Influencers literally make a living from their persona, but their persona is not their real self. Jung also says we project our image of people onto them. So, if we like an influencer who does fashion content, we start assuming they care about women, and feminism, and that she/he has integrity and would never sell out. And the disappointment comes because we are attached to them, and Jung would ask you, "Why did you need this stranger to embody your values?"

Yes, why indeed. It's time to be careful, and change, who you follow, and who you look upto. It's in your hands.

See you next week.

Ranting and raving about all that's trending on social media, Aastha Atray Banan is an author, creator, podcaster, and the Editor of your favourite weekend read, Sunday mid-day. She posts at @aasthaatray on Instagram.
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The views expressed in this column are the individual's and don't represent those of the paper.