Dear Sir,

I was reminded of the title of a Shakespeare play, Much Ado About Nothing, when I saw two news items in July 21 issue of Gulf Times: “South Indian film opens to sell-out shows in Qatar” and “Rajni mania grips India ahead of film release”. Someone in Gulf Times seems to be getting overexcited about a non-issue.
Why should a south Indian film release take up so much space in the paper? There is absolutely no rhyme or reason for giving so much coverage about a movie release. Every day several films are released throughout India, in various languages. It is nothing extraordinary.
So it’s quite unfortunate that undue publicity is showered on one, Kabali, a Rajnikanth movie, in this case.
People at various levels, irrespective of their social status and educational background, seem to be falling  prey to the clever designs of a filmmaker to make his release a huge commercial hit. Kabali is nothing but a commercial venture.
The actor and the producer are keenly interested in reaping a rich harvest and thereby make hay while the sun shines.
There is no harm in watching a movie and enjoying it, I suppose. But what is worrying are the highly hyped publicity stunts.  According to the social media, a few companies have even declared holiday in the Indian cities of Chennai and Bangalore to mark Kabali’s release! Some of them have even been reported to have given away free tickets for the film to their employees. As an HR professional, I wonder in what way this motivates workforce.
The same software companies were hesitant, if not unwilling, to declare holiday during the recently-held state assembly elections in Tamil Nadu in compliance with the Election Commission’s directive.
Their action may set a wrong precedent as employees engaged in other industries like manufacturing, trading, transportation, etc may also expect such favours in future! This may affect the normal functioning and lead to low productivity, lesser income and economic loss.
I understand that Kabali portrays a don, which is not a role model to emulate by anyone, all the more for the younger ones.
To add fuel to the fire, the ticket costs are prohibitively high as an artificial demand is created.
In Bangalore, arrangements are afoot to screen this movie in star hotels which is an unusual practice and in flagrant violation of existing rules, regulations, policies and practices.
Publicity-mongers file frivolous petitions in courts of law citing untenable reasons to obtain injunction in releasing this movie, just to gain cheap publicity. Courts’ time is being wasted by vested interests with this. No useful purpose shall be served to anyone except to the film’s actor and producer by such unwarranted and uncalled for activities.
Let us enjoy movies but don’t get over-excited about them as is being witnessed now. Let us use our discretion and intelligence.

V Kalyanaraman 
[email protected]