South Indian actor Prithviraj doesn't deserve the scalping he is now taking on Youtube and Facebook.
It is simply unfair, and more than anything, another clear instance of the double standards and hypocrisy of Malayalis. I would have loved to use the word Mallus but apparently it is derogatory, according to whom and for what, don't ask.
When you stick out your head for Prithviraj, it also becomes imperative to underline that I am no fan of the young actor. As an individual, he has largely whipped up two extreme reactions - love and hate, and since I am generally not the indifferent kind, I would say, I belong to the 'haters' list.
So, why do I feel the need to defend Prithviraj?
The trigger was this interview of the actor, which as I write this, has fetched some 48,000 hits, while the original 'Prithvirajappan' - has clocked over 450,000 and counting.
The Asianet interview is now doing its round on Facebook, with practically every 'friend' of mine posting it as his/her status message. Really? This man's interview is your status? The argument is that the Youtube clip shows Prithviraj as stumbling and fumbling when asked about a book/author he likes. (Secretly, I would salute anyone who swears by Ayn Rand and The Fountainhead – that novel is the ultimate tribute to individualism and objectivity.)
I have no idea how these Prithvi-bashers missed the fumbling and stumbling of the interviewer; do we have two yardsticks to judge people simply because some are 'media idols?'
Ok, let me not make this into another bashing session on how our television interviewers behave on the idiot box (more so because I have a bad history of being bashed by the Youtube crowd for an AR Rahman interview - if you are interested in its print version, read it here - where I gesticulate and ahems through it - oh yeah - am pretty bad at this; I break into sweat and shiver and all that; cameras scare the shit out of me).
But why do we hate Prithviraj? Because he is arrogant? Because he tends to speak his mind? Because he tends to exaggerate his claims of his movies? Because he sounds disrespectful to his peers and seniors?
Show me one Malayali who doesn’t do all this! We are the biggest of bitchers/whiners. We revel in crushing idols, demeaning anyone (like my stab at the interviewer above), and we sincerely believe that as individuals each one of us is the best, the rest be damned.
Just a case of one of my theories, that we refuse to acknowledge the asshole within ourselves but see the ass in everyone else.
Now, honestly, what has Prithviraj done to irritate us? He has been extremely successful - for his age. And the boy speaks like a dream; his diction and command of languages - both Malayalam and English - is flawless. He has good looks. He exudes confidence. He is as much at ease in front of Asianet as in front of a London media.
For a young actor, he has taken the best risks and challenges - that even the veterans have not ventured. I hated Urumi but I loved his guts to take on history and give it a twist by the tail.
And let me remind you of the lost battle he waged - he was perhaps the only one to stand up against the Big guns during the Vinayan debate.
He stuck to his conviction and did movies with a director who was practically an outcaste (for all his obstinacy and stupidity and lack of skills, Vinayan's original sin was to cast a Mohanlal-look alike in his debut - the star, apparently, didn't pardon him then, or now.)
Where were actors like Dileep who had enjoyed the benevolence of Vinayan when he fell into troubled times? At least Prithviraj stood up for him.
We need boys and men like Prithviraj. You can't hate him because he didn't invite the whole of Kerala to his wedding or because he 'lied' to Vanitha (isn't this a women's magazine - why does it need cinema stars to stay ‘as the largest circulated women’s magazine’ in the market?)
I was sure Prithviraj would have laughed this all away; but no, he looks affected - anyone would be - and it shows in his reactions.
My request to Prithviraj would be to cease to react or to bother; this is not about a 'barking dogs' syndrome.
This is because I believe we need more men who stand up for their conviction -for good or bad.
I have always believed that the 'inferiorty complex' which the Srinivasan-Mohanlal combo inflicted on our generation is why we became the 'lost generation.' Look at any of those glorified movies of the twosome – the heroes are great loveable men (like us in the 40s, lol), but what the heck, they are such losers!
I read this today by chance: "Those who create enterprises from nothing are by nature egotists; impressing their vision of a new undertaking upon the world. The truly humble would never be able to carry out a task like that' - (A crisis is the only way to test your value - by Luke Johnson, writining in FT)
Prithvi, be the egotist; create something new.
And for heaven’s sake, give more Malayalam television interviews.
Just give it to them, though!
(Tailender: Don't give me the suckup award; I am not planning a movie with Prithvi)
Prithviraj's picture from Keralabuzz.com; no copyright violation intended
9 comments:
Hello Rajeev
Lets me make something clear. The interview given to Asianet was to passify the media who started boycotting Prthwiraj silently in anger with fooling them with his marriage. John Brittas who jumped from Kairali to Murdoch owned Asianet was aslo feeling discomfort like Prthwiraj about his sudden change of color.
So both of them joined together and did a drama to boost images of both parties. It was a mutual benefit kind of thing, you scratch my back and I will scratch yours.
The questions were prior known and framed in such a manner to boost both Brittas and Prthwis images and to passify their criticisers.
Prwthiraj was under pressure after his marriage controversy his films started flopping one by one. First Manikyakkallu didnt get much box office collection being an average movie by Katha parayumbol director.
Again his movies Veettilekkulla Vazhi (a psuedo intellect movie) failed and followed much boosted Tejabai where he did a pale Mohanlal imitation whom he criticise most. (May be he is thinking if Mohanlal is out he may capture Superstar kingdom).
The BBC reported wife when tried to praise her husband's English speaking ability the viewers could not digest that blatant husband worshipping at the cost of channel.
Mammutty is too good giving interviews and Mohanlal is so poor in interviews. Mammutty shows his class and knowledge (may be he rehearses well) Lal gives pale excuses. But both of them have never faced such an attack by youngsters like Prtwiraj.
His brother Indrajith is good actor and more versatile too, but none boo boos him, everyone agrees he is a decent actor. May be not that successful like Prthwi.
Prthwis father Sukumaran had much head weight and boldness than Prthwi. But he was liked because of his knowledge acting skills dialogue delivery masterism which none could beat so far in malayalam cinema.
So now question comes why Prwthwi face such a hate and criticism that too from young generation.
He and Sreesanth should learn that Malayalis dont like jingoism, whoever shown jingoism in politics or arts or any other field Malayali will dig him and drag his feet. This is age old practice of Mallus.
Sorry he has to limit his arrogance at least in public or media if he want a better career.
Hello Rajeev
Lets me make something clear. The interview given to Asianet was to passify the media who started boycotting Prthwiraj silently in anger with fooling them with his marriage. John Brittas who jumped from Kairali to Murdoch owned Asianet was aslo feeling discomfort like Prthwiraj about his sudden change of color.
So both of them joined together and did a drama to boost images of both parties. It was a mutual benefit kind of thing, you scratch my back and I will scratch yours.
The questions were prior known and framed in such a manner to boost both Brittas and Prthwis images and to passify their criticisers.
Prwthiraj was under pressure after his marriage controversy his films started flopping one by one. First Manikyakkallu didnt get much box office collection being an average movie by Katha parayumbol director.
Again his movies Veettilekkulla Vazhi (a psuedo intellect movie) failed and followed much boosted Tejabai where he did a pale Mohanlal imitation whom he criticise most. (May be he is thinking if Mohanlal is out he may capture Superstar kingdom).
The BBC reported wife when tried to praise her husband's English speaking ability the viewers could not digest that blatant husband worshipping at the cost of channel.
Mammutty is too good giving interviews and Mohanlal is so poor in interviews. Mammutty shows his class and knowledge (may be he rehearses well) Lal gives pale excuses. But both of them have never faced such an attack by youngsters like Prtwiraj.
His brother Indrajith is good actor and more versatile too, but none boo boos him, everyone agrees he is a decent actor. May be not that successful like Prthwi.
Prthwis father Sukumaran had much head weight and boldness than Prthwi. But he was liked because of his knowledge acting skills dialogue delivery masterism which none could beat so far in malayalam cinema.
So now question comes why Prwthwi face such a hate and criticism that too from young generation.
He and Sreesanth should learn that Malayalis dont like jingoism, whoever shown jingoism in politics or arts or any other field Malayali will dig him and drag his feet. This is age old practice of Mallus.
Sorry he has to limit his arrogance at least in public or media if he want a better career.
Came to your blog through the FB page "We Like & Support Prithviraj" .Initially I too enjoyed bashing him and rajappan(tintumon) jokes until one of my friend said " Malayala cinemayile savarna hindu medhavithathinu ulla marupadiyaanu ee prithviraj thejovadham"
I was shocked to hear that !!!
For once I hear a Mallu ( And no I don't know if its an offence to call one that)speak the truth about Mallus. We are as you rightly point a bunch of A""""holes but of course we will never acknowledge that. And finally when a guy who has balls comes up...the whole f****** community turns against him.
Kudos Mate!
hey there Mr. Rajeev,
Take a break and watch Ram charan teja's interviews. He is Chiaranjeevi's son and you really have to see the way in wich the guy talks -Modesty wnt hurt. The guy is so down to earth when he can show much more arrogance than mr.sukumarans son. and thats exactly what losers like prithviraj who gets eaten up by fame have to get a hold of....so with due respect to whatever it was that you were trying to say.....AN ACTOR LIKE PRITHVIRAJ REALLY DOESNT DESERVE IT.....if you would have noticed in the much speculated interview...his wife clearly says that she has wine suddenly comes the macho man protecting that sentence by saying "she doesnt drink like that...gaah!!!....wth...he wants to be the "IN" man who tries to show in his interviews that he is something......watsa big a deal in his wife saying that she enjoys wine once in a while.....not a big deal!!!....So he does know the Do's and Dont's in mallu community.....but prefers to show his arrogance ALL THE TIME....
He wpuld really have to choose some other proffession since he takes the public and fans for granted and wants it to be all about him....
A good actor with potential and who dreams to make it big will surely know the importance of public in his career.....
to do what he does is pretty easy....but to show some modesty towards the people who literally sit and watch his 3 hr movies and credit him, he should most definitely cut some slack to the public...
I don't fully subscribe to the contents, but the article is fantastically written..thums up Sir..
therz nothing wrong in his attitude... we need boys like him... I like both prithvi and sreesanth... who are we to criticize these two guys ???... what we got ? we are nothing but a bunch of jobless losers sitting in-front of a laptop and writing nonsense about others who fulfilling their dreams... if they are arrogant and got attitude please understand this that they already earned the right to do that...
Instead of wasting time on criticizing others please go and do you work properly... its enough... and if you have to do something then go and fight against to those who take bribe , fight against those who rape poor girls... if u cant do that then shut up and stay in ur room...
somebody was comparing pritvi with ram charan teja...what the heck?
teja can't act for nuts..and moreover he is only a couple of films old too...
coming to this post,isaw the post today and i fully agree with the blogger...
though i m nt a great fan f pritvi's acting skills(he s an average actor at best,but far above his contemporaries like boban kunchakko,jayasurya et al)i respect pritvi for his character and his attitude.the way he handled the crisis situation(the online abuse),I swear if I were prithviraji wud have really hear broken seeing all that abuse and personal attacks against him.But the guy he is, fought the crisis situation in a matured manner,stopped giving interviews,concentrated on his work and came back with a career best perfo in Ranjith's indian rupee..though his detractors mite give all the credit to ranjith i wud say that his portrayal of Jayaprakash was simply brilliant..the movie was not only a commercial success but also a critical success.
so when 2011 began i was just another movie goer who neither liked nor hated pritviraj but one year down the lane, thanks to all the media bashing,online criticism,personal attacks targeted at him, by the beginning of 2012 i can proudly say that I am a great fan of this great human being and actor named PRITHVIRAJ SUKUMARAN...
ps- rajeev,kudos to you for writing this wonderful piece..
regards,
Dr nikhilesh menon
then one more thing saw a comment about veetilekkulla vazhy here..as far as i know the movie had won the national award for the best malayalam movie of 2010..
i dont remember any art house movie succeeding in the kerala box office in the recent past...even the much acclaimed kutty sranku,pranayam were flops....!
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