The ‘non-political’ interview of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with film star Akshay Kumar aired on Wednesday, 24 April, and true to its description, the interview dealt with the PM’s fondness for memes, mangoes and half-sleeve kurtas; his early life and friendship with Barack Obama and his slight chagrin with Twinkle Khanna’s tweets.
Now, Narendra Modi has been criticised for not holding a single press conference during his tenure. His hesitation to provide interviews has also come under fire before.
So, Twitterati, of course, had a few opinions on a ‘non political interview’ like this at a time when there are burning questions that the PM needs to answer.
“Actors Replace Journalists”
Congress spokesperson Sanjay Jha said that Modi doesn’t have the “courage to give a press conference. But theatrics aplenty for scripted optics with a Bollywood sympathizer.”
Activist Kavita Krishnan also said that, “PM can only do staged, scripted ‘interviews’ with his own bhakt ‘interviewers’”. It is a mockery of journalism, she added.
Journalist Neha Dixit pointed out that journalists were now being replaced by actors.
Where is The Confidence?
It didn’t end there. Opinions were aired about how, even after three phases of voting, Modi needed actor Akshay Kumar to promote him. “He seems to have lost confidence in his ‘achievements’ of 5 years”, said Tweeple.
Journalist Rifat Jawaid said Akshay Kumar had been brought because, “there is no hope for a second term for Modi.”
Another journalist Amey Tirodkar said that this interview was a glaring example of Modi’s ‘courage’ to face ‘tough’ questions.
Disrespect for ECI
One Twitter user said that calling it a ‘completely non political’ interview to escape the claws of the MCC only showed disrespect for the ECI and democracy.
Filmmaker Rakesh Sharma, meanwhile, asked if Election Commission had approved the “promotional interview with candidate Modi, done by a film star to maximise PR/Publicity during polls.”
Modi’s remarks on Twinkle Khanna’s tweets and his elaboration on his friendship with Barack Obama were also made fun of by Twitterati.
One Twitter user claimed that Modi’s remark on Twinkle Khanna - “I read your wife's tweets and she takes out all her anger on me so I hope your house is peaceful” - was nothing short of sexist.
And how could Tweeple not poke fun at Modi’s descriptions of bonhomie with former US President Barack Obama? Here are a few choice examples:
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