Actor v/s Paparazzi:Sachin Sharma speaks out

Actor Sachin Sharma, former journalist and anchor for a business channel voices his angst on the latest trends seen in the paparazzi industry. Sachin has CID, Vaidehi and the latest Kulvaddhu to his credit. Presently the actor is on a well deserved vacation in Delhi. Telly Chakkar caught up with him for his take on celebrity journalism,especially when he is on the other side of the fence, today. Sachin avers, "There is a rat race in the field of journalism as well ! Today everybody is behind 'the breaking news' irrespective of whether they have the complete knowledge of it or not. Just because one channel is covering it, the rest want to do the same." He further adds, "Being from the field, few of years ago, it was mandatory to do our homework and not assume things. Today anchors speak with too much confidence over very little content they provide." "Remember a kid named Prince fell in a 50 feet hole? There was another kid, and then another...one Prince got a channel TRP's at a certain time, doesn't mean the channel should keep showcasing the same kind of news. It has become a joke! News should never become a joke, if the story hasn't a soul to it, it can't be news. The Abhi -Ash wedding was splashed all over the channels and papers. Yes, it's the wedding of the year, everybody wants to know. But why lose your self respect in the same; I saw how the reporters were treated. The principle is that you keep their respect and don't lose yours", he adds. What is his comment on the seriousness of the news? "Young reporters need to apply their mind on how news should be presented. I don't say that every media house is the same; there are people doing good work under pressure and I respect that. There are sections of media who refrain from any seriousness towards news, when we had the blasts; a channel was reporting that 'x' number of people died, then they changed the figure at least four times. Compare it with BBC covering 9/11; they clearly stated that they did not have the facts and were in the process of gathering them," the tempo in his vocie rising with alarming irritation. So, who is to be blamed for the sorry state of affairs? Is it the reporters who run after a story or editors who want an exclusive at any cost? "Its both, today's journalists are good and very talented but they are not given a free hand on the choice of stories and level of importance. Also the reporters need to stand up and face the truth, if you are right about it, then you will be heard. The editors should guide them not rule them." He chuckles calming himself over the sensitive issue insisting that with time things improve. We pray it does for both the Indian TV circuit and the media industry. Write to us what you think about the ongoing aggressive nature of the paparazzi, do you want the scoops and sensation from the media or do you think they should take it with easy and let the celebrities just be. Email us at [email protected]