Bucking the trend...

BBC NEWS | South Asia | Bollywood shock at star's verdict

In general politicians and actors have a lot in common, at least in India. So, it is not uncommon to see such a reaction from Bollywood. Like every politician, the stars expect that the law cannot touch them. Remember “Sanjay Dutt did not have weapons, it was planted etc...” story. But, I have come to realize that there is more in common.

When you go to watch movies you root for the hero (or the villain) but at the end of the show you got poorer and both the hero and the villain got richer. Same is true with politics in India – which ever side you support you end up the loser. The politicians get rich off you. And, no other professions have such open connection with the criminals yet remain respectable like politics and filmdom. No wonder lots of actors try their hand at politics once they retire from acting. Ever heard of rioting or suicides because of the death of a doctor, scientist or industrialist? But, suicides (“self-immolation” being the most common method) are a regular feature when a “star” or politician dies.

This Salman Khan instance seems to be bucking the trend. Wonder if it is because the charge against him is “killing a rare buck” ;)