Bollywood icon Salman Khan recently used the platform of the Bigg Boss 20 Weekend Ka Vaar episode in Mumbai to deliver a sharp critique of online harassment, body shaming, and media intrusion. His remarks, intended to spotlight the unrealistic pressures faced by celebrities, particularly women, quickly garnered attention, though not always for the reasons he intended.
Khan questioned the public's tendency to mock actors for natural changes like weight gain or ageing, contrasting this with the relentless scrutiny stars endure. Without naming individuals, Khan passionately defended a woman trolled after childbirth, emphasizing her recent experience and family care, stating she would regain fitness on her own terms. Social media users immediately speculated he referred to Katrina Kaif, given recent discussions about her appearance, transforming his defense into a narrative about past romance.
Khan also addressed the personal toll of ageism, acknowledging that at 60, he cannot maintain the physique he had during films like Maine Pyar Kiya. Yet, instead of sparking a dialogue on the industry's impossible beauty standards, the online sphere largely diverted the conversation towards relationship nostalgia.
A significant point often overlooked involved his strong condemnation of paparazzi practices. Khan criticized photographers who intentionally use unflattering angles, particularly targeting actresses entering or exiting vehicles, focusing on their thighs, hips, or backs for "Guess who?" captions. He urged women to directly confront photographers when faced with such non-consensual filming, stressing that a press card does not excuse harassment.
The internet's response starkly highlighted the very issues Khan sought to address. Despite frequent calls for men to speak against harassment, his earnest intervention was swiftly romanticized. A crucial discussion about objectification, ageism, and media ethics became sensationalized, overshadowing the profound questions Khan posed about public perception and celebrity treatment.
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đź“° Source: Siasat Gulf