Sridevi: Indian media and the death of a star
The kerfuffle around Sridevi's death is deafening. Indian media's insensitive, irresponsible handling of her passing away once again proves how adept they are at creating controversies out of thin air. In the two days since she died unexpectedly in Dubai, so much has been speculated, invented about Sridevi that it would have shocked even her, had she been alive. Have we stooped this low?
Of hyperbole, speculations and irresponsible journalism
I woke up yesterday to my mother informing me that it was Sridevi's plastic surgeries that killed her. A TV channel suggested that her family's financial woes had taken a toll on her. A website claimed it was stress. She was probably a bit too worried about daughter Jhanvi's Bollywood debut. In the evening, forensics finally revealed that Sridevi died of accidental drowning.
Mocking a tragedy
Indian media should have waited for the forensic report before jumping to conclusions. But they didn't. They milked the tragedy as best as they could, even if it meant misreporting. Some news channels lauded Sridevi's 50-year-long career without taking into account her professional hiatus that lasted over a decade. Others floated other theories as facts. This, despite her life being so public and well-documented.
News in the age of social media
Now add to this ruckus the omnipotent social media, which makes everyone a know-it-all and there you have The Great Indian Media Circus. All of this in just two days. As more about Sridevi's death unfolds, the media will use and abuse it. They are hawks on the prowl, waiting to attack. And they will, mercilessly. What a horrid time to be a celebrity.
