Politicians need to find new scripts to appeal to voters

RGV – Ram Gopal Varma – never fails to be in the news. This time he is being talked about for his latest venture Vyooham (Strategy). He is making a movie based on YSR’s sudden death in a helicopter crash and the developments that followed leading to the AP’s tall politician’s son YS Jagan emerging as the Chief Minister. During an interview, he quoted Mark Zuckerberg and said the biggest risk is not taking any risk. Though he denies that the movie is being made keeping the 2024 Election Season in mind, it has the potential of having some impact on the movie-crazy Andhrites.

Let us not forget the fact that NTR's image as an actor, particularly of mythological roles of Ram and Krishna that he played, did influence the audience in viewing him as the new Avatar in the State politics. His fans would definitely relate his reel life image to real life. But, elsewhere in the country – particularly the north - not many actors succeeded in cashing on their onscreen image for performances off-screen or political theatre. Amitabh Bachchan did not take too long to realise that politics is not his cup of tea. Rajnikant and Kamal Hasan are yet to make any mark in Tamil Nadu politics where movie star MGR and subsequently Jayalalithaa had ruled the political theatre as well. Jaya, of course, won many-a-heart as a lady victim of dirty politics post MGR’s death.

In the newgen politics, we get to witness plenty of theatrics. The projection of BJP led by Modi as the alternative, a virtue over the evil of the Congress, is no less a dramatic campaign. Though it was a complacent Congress that got sucked into the whirlwind of campaign against corruption, the BJP – Modi in particular – ensured a nearly Congress-mukt Bharat.

The political coups that the Double Engine Sarkar staged in MP, Karnataka and Goa are no less Bollywood-type scripts. But then the BJP might say that it is the Congress which is a past-master at political games. The Grand Old Party led by master strategist Indira Gandhi had propped up Charan Singh and Chandrashekhar as PMs and then pulled the carpet from under their feet. As long as the opposition is not strong, the influential party is bound to play its tricks.

Cut to 2023-24 poll season. It is the most influential BJP which wants to turn the table on the seemingly weak Congress and the latter’s restless campaign to forge a united opposition. Team Modi terms the opposition alliance as nothing sort of another trick that will not click. Indications of fissures in the opposition alliance are already out in the open as AAP and Congress had difference of opinions on the Central ordinance to weaken the Delhi Government’s authority in appointing top officials. Arvind Kejriwal wants the Congress to denounce the BJP government’s ‘anti-democratic’ act while Team Rahul is in no hurry to do so. AAP is not above suspicion, says a Shakespearean view in the Congress.

Another point that RGV makes is that there is nothing like an absolute truth (while projecting issues in movies). Politicians when in opposition talk of democracy and change the tone when they get into power to proclaim that there is nothing like absolute freedom or democracy. Parties after parties are keen to grant autonomy to government media such as AIR (sorry Akashwani) and DD and go on an altogether different frequency when they become ruling parties. Everybody loves the media under their control under the guise of democracy.

PM Narendra Modi may say lot about democracy, particularly when he is on a foreign soil. Look at what he said addressing the US Congress: “Democracy is the spirit that supports equality and dignity. Democracy is the idea that welcomes debate and discourse. Democracy is the culture that gives wings to thought and expression. India is blessed to have such values from time immemorial. In the evolution of the democratic spirit, India is the Mother of Democracy.”

But when it comes to India, his definition of democracy changes. He talks of Congress-mukt Bharat. He forgets everything about federal principles. He does not say a word about hate politics nor do his followers respect opposition to BJP or its fringe groups’ style of functioning. Intolerance is the word. Point out a wrong to them, they hit back saying Congress did the same. Modi, once back in India from his foreign trips, does not leave any stone unturned to attack the Congress and the opposition alliance. Much as Indira used to say that the opposition ‘khichdi’ united against her, Modi would say the Congress-led alliance is conspiring against him, singularly.

Just as the movie audience has evolved over the years, the political audience would also change and pick their preferences as per changing times and needs. They proved it in Karnataka. A Sholay by Ramesh Sippy was a charting hit but RGV’s Sholay was a flop despite the Big B’s strong screen presence. Film makers realise the bitter truth of audience choice after burning their hands and politicians do not realise even after losing power.

Like in marketing, an election or movie selection is all about finding the gap and trying to fill it. BJP did it successfully during (and actually before) the 2014 election but the year 2024 is bound to be a different ball game.

Politicians – whether from the BJP or the rest – will have to find new scripts. An altogether different script could be cooking in the voter’s mind as compared to PK’s or RGV’s scripts. The risk is in taking the risk in reading the audience’s mindset.

Will Sab ka Saath, Sab Ka Vikas, Sab Ka Prayas lead to Sab Ka Vote or the Congress, emboldened after the Karnataka victory, will evolve with the elections in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana and then surprise the nation.

Till then, we shall keep watching everybody’s Vyooham!

(The columnist is a Mumbai-based independent media veteran, running websites and a YouTube channel known for his thought-provoking messaging)