Indian media gets slammed for exploiting iconic Bollywood actress and beauty queen Sridevi Death as an opportunity to gain TRP. The local news channels reported the incident in a way that it appeared to be a murder mystery rather than a death due to accidental drowning.
Further, the baseless reports, uncalled for speculations and Sridevi death simulations infuriated the fans as such an irresponsive reporting could hurt the sentiments of the bereaved family. News channels also faced criticism for making a film out of actress’ death.
Simulation of Sridevi Death in Bath Tub
Local news channels in India came up with the simulation of Sridevi death soon after they knew that actress died of accidental drowning in bathtub followed by the unconscious. Media outlets made the Photoshop images showing Sridevi in a bathtub. Few even depicted her husband Boney Kapoor standing on the scene.
Just when you think our media is insensitive, take a look at Indian media covering Sridevi’s death. pic.twitter.com/ajEvGbijUE
— Puffin Man (@junaidakram83) 26 February 2018
In order to simulate how Sridevi could have died an Indian journalist laid himself in a bathtub.
A reporter drowned in a bathtub to enact #Sridevi death. He has survived. There are conflicting reports about journalism. pic.twitter.com/GnRmSuGTiQ
— Kamlesh Singh | Bana de Lohagarh (@kamleshksingh) 27 February 2018
Apart from simulations media houses also came up with analysis on how undergoing surgeries or consumption of alcohol could have caused the actress’ death.
#sscscam
Jaisi media waisi ssc,
And now @republic@aajtak#znews revealed which brand of lipstick? did sri devi used,
How sri devi looks as 16years old in 54 age,
???, what a tremendous achievement of our main stream media
And after this i am unsubscribed all paid media.— Deepak kumar (@iamdeepakindian) 28 February 2018
Criticism of Indian Media
Making a mockery out of the Sridevi death was indeed a not so civilized act. Many Twitter users were right on pointing out how such a reaction by news channel was nothing more than adding insult to the injuries.
Here is what the critics have to say about media’s portrayal of Sridevi tragic death.
A Telugu film actor Siddharth opined on Twitter that Indian actors should take action to identify and scrutinize the news channels for such a false coverage of Sridevi death.
In a perfect world, the Indian film industry would come together, identify every news outlet that stooped to such lows in their coverage of #Sridevi and cut them off… Show them they can’t get away with this! But then again, in a perfect world, she would still be alive. R. I. P.
— Siddharth (@Actor_Siddharth) 27 February 2018
And, this was a sarcastic way of targetting those who did their best to made a joke out of the actress’ death.
Good morning to everyone except those who made a joke on #Sridevi ‘s death.
— Angoor Stark ? (@ladywithflaws) 28 February 2018
Well, the media insensitivity is same as in India as it is in Pakistan.
This Pakistani journo entering grave of Abdul Sattar Edhi and this Indian journo entering a bathtub to illustrate Sridevi’s death are great metaphors for the state of the media in the two countries. pic.twitter.com/ltYGOO2QfG
— Siddharth Singh (@siddharth3) 27 February 2018
Sridevi death will remind us why are we so ghoulish?
.. and finally as #Sridevi takes her last journey tomorrow from her home to the cremation ground , all the ugliness created by speculators will be burnt to ashes too. One day we will look back ourselves and ask, why are we so ghoulish? Were these really fans that loved her?
— Shekhar Kapur (@shekharkapur) 27 February 2018
Let Her Rest in Peace
And, the request is valid.
My Humble request to the media , social platform content providers , and people at large. There is a lot of wrong speculation going on . I request each and every one to respect the dead. Thank you ! #LetHerRestInPeace pic.twitter.com/nZkPYjhT1Q
— Allu Arjun (@alluarjun) 27 February 2018
Stop perceptions! Making someone’s death a mockery. Please let the departed soul rest in peace ? #LetHerRestInPeace #LetsBeHuman
— Mehreen Pirzada (@Mehreenpirzada) 27 February 2018
Sridevi who ruled the Indian cinema for decades last time appeared in the film Mom along with Pakistani actors Adnan Siddiqui and Sajal Ali. Her stunning acting in a 2012 film English Vinglish enthralled the audience. The actress’s final performance is a cameo in Shahrukh Khan starrer Zero. Her demise is considered to be the end of an era for Indian film industry.
