Nivedita Antyakula

Just as the death of actress Sridevi has left us in dismay, disbelief, and grief, the way the media handled the entire episode has left many of us in the same state. We are yet to come to terms with both. Whether the death of the actress is natural or unnatural is definitely a point to be resolved, but what is media’s business? The media’s business is to point out the truth and to state facts. Mere facts, and not to cook up stories of sorts and dramatizing the event, which has happened in this case and many cases of the past too. Media’s perennial interest in the death of the diva is definitely understandable, but until the investigative agencies have come up with some concrete conclusions and evidences, the media should have restrained itself from sensationalizing the entire issue. Instead of jumping the gun before anything substantial would have surfaced, the media should have maintained its poise and decorum, waited for the investigative agencies to complete their course of action and then come up with their analysis and discussions. Should the matter proceed further, media then should have lent its helping hand. If media plays the role of James Bond, then what role should the investigative agencies play?

Before the news of the late actress could sink in, media’s ‘proactive’ role in the entire issue has left the viewers in an intrigued state. Finally, what has happened? May be, the TRP’s must have increased for these news channels, but the investigative agencies in Dubai have declared that there is no foul play in the death of the actress.  How the actress passed away is a mystery, which may not be resolved at all; but instead of acting before the proper and appropriate time, the media should have lent its support to the family of the deceased while celebrating the life and journey of the most beautiful and talented actress India has ever produced.