A prominent international liquor brand has specially come out with a female version, where Jack paves way for Jane since women enjoy their blends and single malts as much as their male counterparts. Therefore, it is rather ironical and somewhat disturbing that the focus on late actor Sridevi’s sudden death, turned to alcohol traces in her blood. The conspiracy theories went out of control and the legendary actress was instantly brandished as an alcoholic with indirect insinuation that this ‘vice’ was responsible for her death. But the focus is not about female celebs alone. In India, a lady enjoying her drink, no matter how successful or professional she maybe, is unfortunately perceived as a ‘fallen’ woman. And if she speaks her mind or exposes a malaise in society, she is hurled with the choicest abuses. When actress Preity Zinta took on industrialist Ness Wadia over an alleged sexual misconduct, she had almost become persona non grata. Likewise, in the case of actress Kangana Ranaut, who dared to speak up against Hrithik Roshan. Not only was she semi-ostracised by the industry, but was also labelled mentally unstable. The incorrect and misogynists perception being that a woman who is buzzed or overtly outspoken, is clearly not control of her senses, incapable of managing her life, leave alone her career.
This dangerous mindset has also found its permanent place in popular cinema. In fact, in one of Sridevi’s iconic movies, Chaalbaaz, where she played the role of twins, the wicked sister Anju enjoyed her drink but the virtuous one Manju didn’t drink madira (alcohol) and propagated the medieval concept of a pure girl. Sociologist G.K. Karanth says, “People (more often men) who make such derogatory remarks or jump to conclusions (owing to their levels of unpreparedness and disregard for fact checking) do so out of a seemingly ‘moralistic’ attitude towards drinking. The perspective is more like, it is ‘social drinking’, when they indulge in it. But, when women do it, it’s blatant ‘alcoholism’ or ‘lack of character.’ The same people that accuse and speculate about women are in reality trying to camouflage their own shortcomings or rather, the default in their character. I’d also like to attribute this relentless ‘fault-finding’ behaviour to lack of the right exposure. These people who are viscous in their assumptions are convinced that the ruling ideology is in favour of this (character assassination, shaming women who indulge in progressive or liberal acts). It’s unfortunate.”
So no matter how successful a woman is like Preity or Kangana, no matter how competent a homemaker like Sridevi she maybe, a glass or two of alcohol makes her unstable. The question often thrown at her is how does she manage her job or home? In similar situations, nobody questions a drunken man. Of course, it is absolutely acceptable for men to network over a drink, but when women do the same, they are clearly ‘having fun.’ And if the lady happens to be a movie star, the level of speculation about her character is downright cheap and disgusting. “This is a society that sets norms on how to live and how to die. I fear to live here. When it was reported that Sridevi’s death occurred due to cardiac arrest, people were okay with it. From the next day onwards, they started debating on her drinking habit. This is not the first time a reaction of this kind has been evoked. When actors Sreevidya and Soundarya died, peeping toms were interested in digging into their personal lives. The Dubai police have reached a conclusion on what has happened. The actor’s death is a matter of privacy. Leave her family alone. She has left behind a rich oeuvre to remember. The biggest loss is we won’t get to see her perform again,” says T. Parvathi, actor and social activist.
Prominent and successful Kannada star Sanjjana says, “Movie stars are considered a public property and people believe they own them. If it’s a female actor, and things are not going to well for her, they will belittle and humiliate her with all kinds of speculation. Every celeb has to pay a price. Unfortunately Sridevi died an unnatural death and that is has lead to idle gossip. That is the dark side to fame. But as an actor, I have learnt over the years to ignore the muck and rubbish and just move forward. That is the only way to stay sane.” The prevalent attitude extends to other aspects of life too. Prominent male celebs like Shashi Kapoor and Rama Naidu get state funerals but when India’s first female superstar is accorded the same respect, the question is ‘why her’?
“The woman brought about a change in an industry dominated by men and was the first to get paid more than male actors. In my opinion, she deserves the state honour and every other honour that a male superstar would’ve received. We claim to have evolved into a modern, intelligent species but in reality we’re still Neanderthals. Men and women are still judged on different parameters especially when they’re actors because women are supposed to be a certain way and drinking is a still frowned upon when a lady does it. There’s a history of men getting away with everything because our minds are conditioned in a way that tells us women are weaker and lesser mortals,” points out actress Apoorva Arora.
(Inputs Shashi and Pooja)
