Celebrities, media persons need to 'be human'

As cliched as it may sound, the media and celebrities have always shared a ‘can't do with you, can't do without you' relationship.

While, sometimes, it works as a ‘you scratch my back and I scratch yours' kind of equation, many a time, it can get inconvenient for the celebrity, and that's when the real action begins. The recent tussle between Salman Khan and the print photographers is a classic case in point.

Not really known to be media friendly, Salman Khan has had a rough patch in his life when he consistently shunned the media and photographers. But, later, probably realising the futility of it all, he mellowed down and was open to media interactions, especially during the promotions of his films.

However, a recent event where the photographers were said to be roughed up by his bodyguards, leading to them unanimously deciding to ban the star, has thrown up memories of that not-so-pleasant phase for the star.

While one does understand that a celebrity can get irked by the constant encroachment to his privacy, or could lose his cool because of the fatigue of being under the limelight all the time, the way a celebrity handles this pressure also says a lot about his or her personality.

Some don't crack under the pressure, knowing that it is a price that comes with all the other perks of being famous, while some do. Another factor that could lead to this conflict is when the celebrity gets so arrogant that he or she thinks they can get away with not extending the common courtesy and etiquette towards the photographers or other members of the media.

In some cases, the media might be guilty of putting up with some form of brash behaviour, but sometimes, perhaps, it becomes imperative to give the rude ones a dose of their own medicine.

This new conflict between Khan and the photographers might not last for too long, but one message is loud and clear. Bad behaviour from anyone, may it be a celebrity or a media person, shouldn't be tolerated.