Sheeba Singh

This piece is about a recent show starring Shah Rukh Khan and Karan Johar, “Lift Kara De.” An easy translation and understanding of this title is “Raise me high” – providing a means of motivation to die hard fans of bollywood stars to meet their “idols” and a financial means to those in need. Well, thats a great idea right?! Two birds with one stone…

How does the show work?

As far as I understand it, the show narrows down eligible candidates to three people- those who claim to be the ‘biggest star’ of a certain celebrity. In order to meet these celebrities, they are told to carry out a certain task. The one to win the challenge meets with whomsoever the challenge is being held for. With giddy laughter, some bollywood dancing the show commences to the real reason.

The winning candidate is told that they, infact, participated in a different challenge and raised money, not for themselves- but to help someone in need of it. A momentary confusion is replaced with an ‘Oh!’ and a short break after the latter is introduced. (The winning ‘fan’ does not know that any of this was going to occur- until this moment)

The viewers hear about what kind of problems the person is in, and as tears are held back, Karan Johar brings forth some good news. The amount raised by the ‘fan’ is thus multiplied by five and given to the member and their family in need.

So where is the problem?

On one hand, smiles strike our faces when we see the average boy or girl meet a superstar- an opportunity that does not come easy- especially in India. On the other hand, the donation to the family in need strikes a chord in our heart.

Televised charity has been introduced to India ladies and gentlemen. Giving has become fashionable. This steady move will provide the populace to understand why giving matters and how charity works. Bollywood stars are now supporting it. They can be seen talking to the middle-class or even lower class man or woman. They can be caught in the act of giving. Isnt that sweet?

Heres my problem. Why not tell the candidates that instead of competing to meet with the superstar, they are competing to give. As opposed to having them give because they met the superstar, have them meet their favorite superstar because they give? Those individuals would deserve to meet the star. Instead of sitting dumbfounded next to a superstar, laden with superficial smiles topped with much wanted stardom- they would sit priding themselves in having done good and being rewarded as a result of it.

Promote good will at the cost of good will, I think. Not at the cost of more fame. With so many people struggling and fighing for just another rupee, advertising “X’s biggest fan” might not be the best way to go. What about “X Fan’ did a good deed” ..?

I would like to see the amount of people who would come forward just to do a good deed. The deed being both the means and the end. They- truly deserve to be rewarded.