I was thinking of this while reading that topic about Ranbir's comments on the situation a few hours ago but might as well say it here since it applies to the industry as a whole and that's relevant to the title...perhaps someone has already voiced a similar opinion and I may have missed it. If people are expecting that anyone associated with Bollywood will publicly go against Salman, it's pretty naive because:
1. Salman has clout - people won't speak against him because he is successful and he is an integral part of the industry when it comes to finances (many people's careers are linked to his); going against him will harm the status quo.
2. Salman's cronies in Bollywood will remain around even if he goes to jail and eventually he will finish his time and return.
3. Salman's fanbase is still present in the audience. Actors who are promoting their movies right now and being questioned about this cannot afford to piss the Bhai crowd off at the risk of alienating a sizeable chunk of the audience. Even more than that, they cannot afford to give statements against Salman publicly which will orient the Bhai lynch mob towards them, resulting in encouragement of a boycott of their movies. They want Bhai's audience.
First and third point are extremely relevant because no one wants to hurt business and lose money. Second point is important because no one wants to speak up against wrongdoing if it could result in the development of a personal feud with others in the industry. The feuding again will also most likely harm monetary prospects, opportunities, dynamics, etc., so...why bother? At the end of the day, Bollywood is a business, not an NGO...people like Ranbir are probably internally overjoyed, but they can't take up the onus of playing social justice warriors when their films are to release in a few days. On the contrary, their supportive/positive comments at such a time may help them gain some little trust of the vulnerable or gullible part of the Bhai crowd, who may go watch their movies.
It's not right. But few things in the entertainment industry are right anyways.
EDIT: On Topic though - What's worse? Salman's actions of course. People's commentary or support/opposition has little effect when the real crux of the matter lies between what he did and what the law decided to do about it.
Edited by kabeeraspeaking - 8 years ago