Why are Indians OBSESSED with Star Kids?

Summary

This video script delves into the paradoxical obsession with star kids in India, exploring the voyeuristic pleasure and escapism fans find in their lives. It discusses the psychological underpinnings, including parasocial relationships and hate following, driven by jealousy and low self-confidence. The script also examines the symbiotic relationship between paparazzi and celebrities, and how star kids benefit from free marketing, influencing the casting decisions of film producers who seek to capitalize on their pre-established fan base.

Takeaways

• 🌟 The Indian public has a deep obsession with star kids, both in and out of the film industry, reflecting a fascination with their personal lives.
• 📸 Paparazzi culture thrives on this obsession, providing the public with glimpses into the lives of celebrities and their children, often leading to voyeuristic pleasure.
• 🤔 The paradoxical nature of public interest in star kids involves both admiration and resentment, with 'hate following' being a common phenomenon driven by jealousy and low self-confidence.
• 🎭 The concept of parasocial relationships, where fans develop one-sided emotional bonds with celebrities, contributes to the intense interest in their personal lives beyond their professional roles.
• 📚 Psychological factors play a significant role in this obsession, with fans using celebrities as a form of escapism from their own problems, as highlighted by Sharanaya Bhattacharya's book.
• 🏆 Star kids often benefit from unfair advantages, such as access to opportunities that are not available to the average person, which fuels the debate around nepotism in the industry.
• 💼 The marketing power of star kids is undeniable, with their social media presence providing a platform for free advertising and promotion for their projects.
• 📈 The business of paparazzi has evolved with social media, where the demand for genuine, unfiltered content from celebrities has led to increased competition and innovative tactics to capture attention.
• 💰 The economics of celebrity culture, including the role of paparazzi and the exploitation of star kids' fame, is driven by the supply and demand dynamics of audience interest and the desire for views and followers.
• 🎬 The film industry capitalizes on the popularity of star kids to mitigate marketing challenges, as their presence guarantees a certain level of audience engagement and curiosity.
• 🔑 The debate around nepotism and the advantages of star kids underscores the broader issues of fairness and opportunity in the entertainment industry, reflecting societal values and the power of incentives.

Q & A

Why is there an obsession with star kids in India?

The script suggests that the obsession with star kids in India is due to a combination of factors, including the parasocial relationships fans develop with celebrities, escapism through watching movies, and a voyeuristic pleasure derived from peeping into their lives.

What is a parasocial relationship as mentioned in the script?

A parasocial relationship is a one-sided relationship between a celebrity and a fan, where fans emotionally invest in the lives of celebrities even though the celebrities may not be aware of them.

How does the script explain the phenomenon of hate following on social media?

The script explains hate following as a behavior where people follow those they claim to hate, often due to low self-confidence and jealousy. It provides a sense of satisfaction in mocking or criticizing the lives of seemingly perfect celebrities.

What role does voyeurism play in the interest of the public in star kids' lives?

Voyeurism, although typically associated with sexual pleasure, in this context refers to the public's desire to see how star kids live, which provides a form of non-sexual voyeuristic pleasure.

How does the script relate the concept of escapism to the obsession with star kids?

The script cites the example of Sharanaya Bhattacharya's book, where it is mentioned that people facing hardships in life may turn to watching movies of their favorite stars as a form of escapism, thus becoming more invested in the lives of these stars and their children.

What is the role of paparazzi in the lives of star kids as described in the script?

The script describes the paparazzi as a significant part of the media empire that feeds the public's curiosity about star kids. They provide exclusive photos and updates, contributing to the free marketing of these celebrities.

Why do film producers cast star kids in their movies according to the script?

The script suggests that film producers cast star kids because they already have an activated audience, which simplifies the marketing process and reduces the risk associated with introducing new faces in big budget projects.

How does the script describe the impact of social media on the paparazzi business?

The script indicates that social media has not shut down the paparazzi business but has instead changed it. Celebrities can now directly communicate with fans, but the audience still craves genuine, unfiltered content, which paparazzi provide.

What is the significance of the 'nepotism index' created by Mint as mentioned in the script?

The nepotism index created by Mint is significant as it analyzed major production houses in India and found that they all tend to cast star kids, indicating a systemic preference for nepotism in the industry.

How does the script explain the benefits of star kids having a large social media following for film marketing?

The script explains that a large social media following of star kids can be leveraged for almost free marketing of their movies. It activates both fans and haters, increasing curiosity and potentially viewership.

What does the script suggest about the challenges of marketing a Bollywood film?

The script suggests that marketing a Bollywood film is challenging due to high costs, the need for innovative strategies to capture audience attention, and the uncertainty of returns on marketing investments.

Outlines

00:00

🌟 Celebrity Obsession and Parasocial Relationships

The first paragraph delves into the Indian public's fascination with star kids, both those in the entertainment industry and those outside of it. It raises questions about the public's need to know about their personal lives, such as dating and marriages, despite a simultaneous criticism of nepotism. The script mentions Dr. Itisha Nagar's perspective on this obsession being akin to 'opium' for people, and introduces the concept of parasocial relationships where fans develop one-sided emotional bonds with celebrities. The psychological aspect of fans using celebrities as a form of escapism, especially during personal hardships, is also discussed. The paragraph highlights the voyeuristic pleasure derived from peeking into the lives of the rich and famous, drawing parallels to the popularity of reality shows like Bigg Boss.

05:01

🤔 The Complexities of Hate Following and Jealousy

The second paragraph explores the phenomenon of 'hate following' on social media, where individuals follow celebrities they claim to dislike, often due to jealousy or low self-confidence. It discusses the ease with which people can criticize the lives of star kids, who are perceived to have won 'the lottery of life' by virtue of their birth into wealthy families. The script contrasts the struggles of the average Indian with the seemingly charmed lives of star kids, pointing out the inherent advantages they possess. It also touches upon the role of paparazzi in feeding the public's curiosity and the business of celebrity gossip, emphasizing the symbiotic relationship between the media and the stars.

10:03

📸 Evolution of Paparazzi Culture and Marketing Strategies

The third paragraph examines the evolution of paparazzi culture from the 1990s to the social media era, noting the shift from promotional photo opportunities arranged by managers to the current landscape where paparazzi capture candid moments of celebrities. It discusses how social media has changed the dynamics, with paparazzi providing 'genuine' content that celebrities may not share themselves. The paragraph also covers the economic side of paparazzi work, including the transition from selling photos to earning revenue through sponsored Instagram posts. Additionally, it highlights how star kids benefit from this culture, receiving free marketing through the paparazzi's追随 of their lives.

15:03

🎥 Navigating the Challenges of Film Marketing and the Advantages of Star Kids

The final paragraph addresses the challenges faced by film producers in marketing their movies, given the high costs and uncertain returns. It explains how digital marketing and innovative strategies, such as using influencers, have become essential. The script underscores the advantage star kids have in this context, as they come with an 'activated' audience, making them appealing to producers who are looking to minimize marketing costs. The paragraph concludes with a reference to a 'nepotism index' and a quote from investor Charlie Munger, suggesting that the incentives in the film industry drive the casting of star kids, regardless of public opinion.

Keywords

💡Star Kids

Star Kids refers to the children of famous celebrities, particularly in the Bollywood film industry. They are often born into a life of privilege and public attention. In the video, the term is used to explore the public's obsession with their lives, whether they are in the film industry or not, and how this fascination extends to their personal lives, relationships, and even marriage.

💡Nepotism

Nepotism is the practice among those with power or influence of favoring relatives or friends, especially by giving them jobs. The script discusses the prevalence of nepotism in Bollywood, where star kids are often given opportunities in the film industry due to their family connections, which can be seen as an unfair advantage over those without such connections.

💡Parasocial Relationship

A parasocial relationship is a one-sided relationship between a fan and a celebrity, where the fan feels a strong emotional connection to the celebrity, even though the celebrity is unaware of the fan's existence. The script explains that this type of relationship can develop from fans' emotional investment in the characters celebrities portray, and it contributes to the obsession with star kids.

💡Voyeurism

Voyeurism is the act of deriving pleasure from watching others, often in private or intimate situations. The video script uses this term to describe the audience's interest in the lives of star kids, suggesting that people get a form of pleasure from peeping into their lives, akin to the voyeuristic pleasure described by Dr. Itesha Nagar.

💡Hate Following

Hate following is a term used on social media to describe the act of following someone you dislike or are critical of, often to make fun of them or express jealousy. The script mentions this phenomenon to explain the contradictory behavior of people who both hate and are obsessed with the lives of star kids.

💡Paparazzi

Paparazzi refers to photographers who follow celebrities to take candid photos of them, often for publication in magazines or online. The script discusses the role of paparazzi in feeding the public's obsession with star kids by providing exclusive photos and insights into their lives.

💡Escapism

Escapism is the act of seeking distraction and relief from unpleasant realities, often through entertainment or fantasy. The video mentions that some people turn to watching movies of their favorite celebrities, like Shahrukh Khan, as a form of escapism when they face difficulties in their own lives.

💡Insecurity

Insecurity is a feeling of uncertainty or anxiety about oneself, often leading to self-doubt. The script suggests that hate following and the obsession with star kids can stem from people's insecurities, as they compare themselves to the seemingly perfect lives of these celebrities.

💡Marketing

Marketing is the process of promoting and selling products or services, including in the context of the film industry. The video explains how star kids can provide a marketing advantage to film producers, as their existing fan base can be activated to promote their movies, reducing the cost and effort of traditional marketing strategies.

💡Privilege

Privilege refers to special rights, advantages, or immunities granted or available only to a particular person or group. The script discusses how star kids often have access to opportunities in the film industry that are not available to others, highlighting the concept of privilege in the context of their careers and public exposure.

💡Social Media

Social media are websites and applications that enable users to create and share content or participate in social networking. The video script highlights the role of social media in amplifying the public's obsession with star kids, as well as in providing a platform for paparazzi to share candid photos and updates about their lives.

Highlights

India's obsession with star kids extends beyond those working in the film industry.

Psychologist Dr. Itisha Nagar describes the public's fascination with celebrities as 'opium for our people'.

Parasocial relationships develop between fans and actors, blurring the lines between character and real life.

Fans use celebrities as a form of escapism to deal with personal problems.

Voyeurism in the context of celebrity culture is not limited to sexual content but extends to an interest in their personal lives.

The popularity of reality shows like Bigg Boss is attributed to the voyeuristic pleasure they provide.

The term 'hate following' is used to describe the phenomenon of following people one dislikes on social media.

Hate following is linked to low self-confidence and a desire to mock seemingly perfect celebrities.

Jealousy is a significant factor in the public's obsession with star kids, stemming from their perceived unfair advantages.

Star kids' struggles are often overshadowed by the privileges they have due to their family's fame and wealth.

The paparazzi industry thrives on the public's demand for genuine, unfiltered content of celebrities.

Social media has changed the dynamics of the paparazzi business, with Instagram becoming a key platform for content distribution.

Paparazzi accounts with large followings can generate significant revenue through sponsored posts.

Star kids benefit from the paparazzi industry by receiving free marketing through their social media presence.

Film producers often cast star kids due to their pre-existing fan base, making marketing easier and less risky.

The nepotism index created by Mint highlights the prevalence of star kids in major Indian production houses.

Producers' incentives to maximize profits drive the casting of star kids with established audiences.

The discussion around nepotism in Bollywood is not just about hard work but the unfair advantages star kids have.

Transcripts

Read these headlines once.

'New photos of Jhanvi Kapoor and his friends from their vacation in Maldives.'

'Suhana Khan is following her legacy like her father Shahrukh Khan.'

'Sonakshi Sinha's father and brother are not happy with her marriage.'

Our country is obsessed with star kids.

Not just those who work in the movie industry,

but also those who are not working in the movie industry.

Be it Ibrahim Khan's dating life,

"...people are shocked to see Palak Tiwari outside Ibrahim's house."

or Aamir Khan's daughter's marriage,

the entire country is dying to peep into their lives.

But why?

Why do we need to know about Ibrahim Ali Khan's dating life?

On one hand, we complain about nepotism.

On the other hand, we are so obsessed with star kids.

Why is that?

First, we need to understand that

there is a huge obsession of celebrities and film stars in our country.

Dr. Itisha Nagar, who is a psychologist and assistant professor,

said that this is opium for our people.

I talked about this obsession in a recent video

where I said that a parasocial relationship develops between fans and actors.

In simple words, a parasocial relationship is a one-sided relationship

between a celebrity and a fan.

When an actor plays a character in a movie,

for many fans, he is not just a character, but a human being.

So after the movie, the actor leaves his character,

but the fan's relationship with the character has just begun.

This happens especially with people

who don't have a good psychological well-being.

Sharanaya Bhattacharya talked about this in her book,

Desperately Seeking Shahrukh Khan.

She talked to many women

who said that when something bad happens in their life,

they start watching Shahrukh Khan's movies.

For such people, watching Shahrukh Khan's movies is a way of escapism,

which helps them forget their problems in life.

Many fans get so emotionally invested with celebrities,

when a celebrity doesn't even know them.

And this obsession is not just about movies, but also about their lives.

How they dress, what they eat, who they live with.

Our obsession with Bollywood stars is extended

when we get obsessed with the lives of star kids.

And these people are so rich that their lives are just a dream for many of us.

Because of this, we become desperate to know about their lives.

Dr. Itesha Nagar said that when we look at the lives of star kids,

we get voyeuristic pleasure.

Voyeurism has a sexual meaning.

It's when someone gets sexual pleasure by looking at another person.

Many B-grade directors used this in their movies.

Kanti Shah, a famous B-grade director, used the keyhole technique

where many sexual scenes were shown through keyholes.

He was trying to target the audience

who get voyeuristic pleasure from such movies.

But it's not necessary that voyeurism involves sexual activity.

We just want to see how the lives of star kids are.

This is also a type of voyeurism.

This voyeurism explains why people love watching Bigg Boss.

"What should I do? Should I die? I don't have any feelings."

"Your feelings are valuable."

"Your dog is Tommy. Our dog is a dog."

This is why after IPL,

Bigg Boss was the second most watched show on Jio Cinema.

But this obsession is also very strange.

On one hand, we hate star kids

and on the other hand, we want to know about them.

There's a term for this on social media.

Hate following.

"I'm fed up with looking at your super happy life and perfect girlfriend."

"Then stop looking."

"I don't know. I can't stop."

It means you're following people whom you hate.

In India, there's not much research on hate following.

But it's been done in America.

In America, a teenager was asked why she follows a celebrity

when she hates him.

The girl said, I'm insecure about myself

and I like making fun of perfect-looking celebrities.

Psychologist Lily Sabir said that hate following happens among people

who have low self-confidence.

To improve self-confidence, you have to bring changes in your life

which is difficult and takes time.

It's an easy solution to spit on other people's lives.

Almost all of us do this hate following.

So next time you see a post on Reddit against a celebrity,

notice how many posts are about hate following.

A major reason behind star kids' hate following is jealousy.

Yes, jealousy!

Many of us are jealous because they're famous and they have money.

Just because they were born into a rich family.

They won the lottery of life.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, an Indian cricketer, was recently asked in an interview

how he can score well.

Yashasvi said,

in India, you have to fight for everything.

You have to fight to get into a bus.

You have to fight to get on the train.

You have to fight to decide the charges with the auto driver.

For most Indians, their life is a tournament.

To achieve anything, they have to fight with many people

and only then do they get something.

But these star kids' lives were very different.

They got many privileges that other people couldn't get.

People start following star kids out of curiosity.

They want to know about their lives.

But this jealousy turns into hate

when people have low self-confidence.

When they realize that many celebrities don't even know about their privileges.

"My dad is an actor. I'm not going to say no to an opportunity to act."

"My dad has never been in a Dharma film. He never went on Coffee with Karan."

"So, it isn't as easy as people say."

"I think everyone has their own journey."

But what star kids don't understand

is that the debate is not about hard work.

It's about their unfair advantages.

"Everybody has their own struggle."

"But the truth is, their struggle begins where our dreams end."

This simply means that if a star kid works 12 hours a day,

she can be rewarded for starring in a Karan Johar movie.

But if an unknown person puts in the same amount of effort,

he will be rewarded with being a background dancer if he's lucky.

Let's take the example of Harshvardhan Kapoor

who is the son of Anil Kapoor.

He was launched in Rakesh Om Prakash Mehra's Mirzya movie.

But how did he get this role?

Rakesh Om Prakash Mehra spotted Harshvardhan Kapoor

on the sets of Delhi 6.

The movie was by Rakesh Om Prakash Mehra

starring Harshvardhan Kapoor's sister, Sonam Kapoor.

So a struggling actor who lives in a small apartment in Mumbai

with 6 other people won't be found sitting in a movie set.

So it was Harshvardhan Kapoor's privilege

that he got so much access from a director.

Because of this, he got his first role.

Because of this curiosity, jealousy, and hate,

it's not easy to unfollow a rich and famous person.

To satisfy the hunger of this audience, a huge empire has come up.

The empire of paparazzi.

This is Viral Bhayani's Instagram account which has 9.3 million followers.

In the last 24 hours, 60 reels have been posted on this account

and many reels have got more than 5 lakh views.

Whether it's Alia and Ranbir's daughter's paparazzi debut,

or Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas' appearance with their daughter in a temple.

If you want an update on any star kid of the industry,

you can get all that from this Instagram account.

This isn't just done by Instagram accounts,

but also by online news publications.

This is why many online news publications

publish articles about these star kids.

A digital marketing manager of an online media website explained

why they print such news.

He said it's a simple game of demand and supply.

People want to see the photos of stars and their children.

The news stories that cover them have a lot of reach

and a loyal viewership that they don't get from other stories.

He says, if we don't do it, some other news website will do it.

Why shouldn't we do it?

We're just doing what the public wants.

So, it's all about the views.

And the best way to get views is to talk about celebrities or their children.

That's why you'll get so many photos and videos

about Jhanvi Kapoor, Navya Nanda, or Suhana Khan.

The more exclusive the photo, the more views you get.

In 2022, Varinder Chawla was waiting near a helipad in Alibag, Mumbai.

He found out through his sources that a Bollywood star

was going somewhere with his son in a helicopter.

After waiting for a long time, a car arrived.

Varinder waved to the actor and the actor waved to Varinder.

And at that moment, he clicked a photo.

This photo.

Varinder said, this was a real money shot.

My hard work finally paid off.

Manvi Sharma, who was a publicist for Shah Rukh Khan, said,

paparazzi and Bollywood celebrities need each other.

Stars need attention and paparazzi need views.

This has been going on for many years

but what's happening today is very different from the 1990s.

Viral Bhayani says that until two years ago

taking a photo while waiting outside a restaurant or airport was not a thing.

In earlier times, a superstar's manager used to invite photographers

to take promotional photos on film sets.

In those days, celebrity gossip and news were covered by film magazines.

But this changed with social media.

Now celebrities could directly talk to their fans

and many people thought that the paparazzi business would be shut down.

But this didn't happen because these celebrities

are not genuine on social media.

And because the audience wants genuine content from celebrities

paparazzi fulfil this demand.

They show you how these celebrities go to airports or to parties.

Because such photos arouse fans' voyeuristic feelings.

And it's easy to do business now

because anyone can click any kind of photo with a smartphone.

When Instagram accounts realized that

celebrity photos generate millions of views, the competition grew.

Then the competition grew as to which paparazzi could cross the limit.

That's why some started clicking photos of Alia Bhatt

from the balcony of their neighbor's house.

And others started waiting outside the elevator for celebrities.

That's why some paparazzi say that if they miss an important shot

their bosses yell at them.

But they say that only 20% of the time the celebrity PR team tells the paparazzi.

The remaining 80% of the time

the paparazzi has to find out when a celebrity is coming

and what big events are taking place in the city.

But the competition has grown so much that money is needed.

Many photographers give tips to drivers and security guards

so that they can find out when celebrities are coming.

Varinder Chawla says that many beggars in Mumbai also give him tips.

Earlier, paparazzi used to sell their photos to earn revenue.

Now their Instagram accounts have grown so much

that they mostly earn money by posting paid posts.

But the problem is that they never tell us which posts are sponsored.

For example, during the wedding of Rakul Preet and Jackie Bhagnani

all the paparazzi were posting about this song from Laapataa Ladies on the same day.

Why? Because it's a paid promotion.

But it wasn't mentioned clearly in their accounts.

This is the same post.

So Instagram accounts post about celebrities

which gives them followership.

And once they get followers, they post paid posts to earn money.

And this is also beneficial for star kids.

Star kids get an unfair advantage from the world of paparazzi.

And that is free marketing.

Let's take the example of Archies.

When the cast of this movie was announced,

many of us were talking about nepotism.

But the irony is that while we were talking about nepotism,

this movie also got free marketing

in a world where it's not easy to get the attention of the audience.

Some time before the release of the movie,

Suhana Khan had 3.8 million followers.

And by 2021, Khushi Kapoor had 400,000 followers.

This means that she can activate her fans

and promote her movies almost for free.

And using the Instagram account of star kids

is the best way to market a movie for the producers.

Many producers post ads on billboards and radios

but they're not that effective.

Other producers go to TV shows.

Be it Kapil Sharma's show or a regional show.

Many stars go to shopping malls and colleges.

But Karan Johar said that these things don't matter.

He said that our PNA costs are pointless.

PNA means Promotion and Advertisement.

He said that by going to reality shows and malls,

you'll feel that 8,000 people have come to see you.

But only 80 people out of those 8000 will go and watch the movie.

The cost of marketing a Bollywood film can easily be Rs. 2.5 to Rs. 25 crore.

No matter how much the cost is, marketing for the producers is difficult.

And if the producers don't do marketing in today's world,

some other film might become popular.

And if they do marketing, there's no guarantee that they'll get a return.

That's why many producers try digital marketing.

In this, social media websites are used to target relevant audiences.

It's easy to do that.

All you have to do is make promos for your movie.

And then show these promos on Instagram ads.

Actors must also pick up their phones and have a live session with fans.

The problem is that there's so much content

that film producers have to use innovative marketing strategies

so that people pay attention to their films.

Like using influencers to market their films

so that the influencer's fan base starts supporting the movie.

So I've told you all this to show you that

marketing for a movie is very difficult.

But if you find an actor who has an active fan following

and who's not that expensive, then what more do you need for a film?

And this is the advantage of star kids.

When they make a film, those people also get activated who like them

and those people also who hate them.

The matter is that the posters of the film come in front of their eyes

and they get curious about the film.

The producer benefits from this.

Maybe that's why half of the cast of Archies was of star kids.

Would we have discussed Archies if it didn't have star kids?

Karan Johar said this himself.

This is why many film producers cast star kids

who already have an activated audience.

In 2017, Mint created a nepotism index

by analyzing 10 major production houses in India.

They said that whether it's Sajid Nadiawala production house,

Ajay Devgan's or Shah Rukh Khan's,

they all come in the top 3 positions on this nepotism index.

Even Sanjay Leela Bhansali mostly casts star kids

because introducing a new face in a big budget project is a big commercial risk.

Charlie Munger, who was a billionaire investor

and a good friend of Warren Buffett, has a quote that I like a lot.

It's a very complicated and deep quote.

'Show me the incentives and I will show you the outcome.'

And this is what's happening with these film producers.

These film producers have an incentive to earn as much money as possible.

Because of this incentive, they cast only those actors

who have an activated fan audience

because it's very difficult to do marketing today.

TV actor Hiten Tejwani also said that many times,

producers check actors' social media profiles

to see how many followers they have.

This means that whether you love star kids or hate them,

the benefit is always theirs.