ArpitGarg's Weblog

Rishi Kapoor went after Gandhi’s recently. He was suddenly angry that prominent places in India were named after ex-PM’s Nehru, Indira, Rajiv. Then came the personal and cheeky jibe, “Baap Ka Maal Samajh Rakha Hai”. Congress which is already huffing and puffing was sitting duck to Kapoor’s attack.

I agree with Rishi Kapoor’s take on Gandhi family. Dynastic celebration has gone beyond control. But a Kapoor taking over Gandhi on dynasty is all too funny for me. A scion of Bollywood dynasty taking over political dynasty of India. From Prithiviraj Kapoor to Raj, Shahshi, Shammi to Rishi, Randhir, Rajiv to Karishma, Kareena, Ranbir, the list goes on and on and on. This dynasty has ruled the entertainment industry. Handholding with other dynasties of Bollywood resulted in their off spring heralded stars right at birth.

What Rishi Kapoor is saying though correct, smacks of selective wisdom. With all the perks he is sucking out of dynasty worship in India, who is he to question some one else’s dynasty? In fact he trivializes the discussion as he is open to back attack. What I have realized is a sound argument is as important as who is making that argument. Rishi Kapoor is detriment to the very argument he is making. In turn he brings harm to the anti-dynasty movement.

If he wants to bash dynasty, no one can stop him. But if wants his bashing to help the society, he has to bash his own dynastic credentials too. Gandhi’s named projects after their fore fathers. Kapoors and other Bollywood clans made their offspring born actors. Films after films after films when common man was forced to struggle in Mumbai with hopes of becoming an actor. Does anyone really think that Kapoor clan would have made it without their own dynastic privilege?

I still commend Rishi Kapoor for the stand he has taken. But to give some gravity to his statements, he has to cleanup his own house first. Till then it’s Kapoor v/s Gandhi.