While the capital yesterday endured a police state scenario for the Olympic Torch Relay (which was only watched by policemen) which this author has not seen in living memory – and that includes the chaos that ensued following Rajiv Gandhi’s murder or the insanity that precedes Independence Day and Republic Day, Bombay was agog about how two-failed actors had taken a rag for a ride. Now, I believe the media should have boycotted the evening function and that both actors possibly do not realise the enormity of what they have done, and their reputations will probably be shot at every possible opportunity now, but none the less.
While the media is now questioning motives, who is to blame? The reporter evidently did all his groundwork, called up both parties to check the story and can 'technically' be the victim over here, my question is why was this on Page 1 in the first place? I want to know who the PR chap was who thought of the idea, because this will have blowback!
Anyway that said, a well-orchestrated con-job can catch out many journalists - The Smoking Gun exposed Akon - singer of that horrible track 'Smack That' as being a fraud but for years no-one questioned the guy. Now Akon is a lot bigger star that these two failing Bollywood ex-stars (well, one was never a star) so will this ruin his reputation. Yes, it will.
We'll forget about this story soon because the Indian Premier League starts today, and after all non-boycotts have been resolved, let's see how it turns out. I've decided to go watch the first game at the newly floodlit Kotla tomorrow, so I'll report from that.
