“He (Udit Narayan) is unstoppable,” read a comment on social media as yet another video of playback singer Udit Narayan, showing him kissing multiple fans, surfaced online. This follows earlier footage of the 69-year-old singer kissing female fans at a concert, incidents that have recently gone viral.
Narayan has faced severe backlash for his inappropriate behaviour. However, he has attempted to justify his actions, claiming they have been blown out of proportion. But the question of whether he crossed the line of decency is debatable. Celebrities are expected to conduct themselves with decorum, particularly in their interactions with female fans.
While these female fans certainly overstepped boundaries, Narayan, as a seasoned professional, could have maintained a respectful distance instead of reciprocating inappropriately.
It is also troubling that Narayan later spoke to the media and attempted to downplay his actions. Concepts such as consent, limits, and responsibility are integral to a celebrity's interactions with the public—regardless of any provocation.
Selfie Culture
The craze for taking exclusive selfies with celebrities has reached new heights, especially with concerts and shows being regularly organised by Indian and international artistes. In the past, there have been controversies where celebrities have snatched mobile phones from overzealous fans while performing. There have also been instances where fans have crossed the line of decency, much to the chagrin of the artiste.
Handling such moments, when fans become overexcited, requires a measured response from celebrities to prevent negative public sentiment. However, Narayan is wrong in attempting to justify his actions by attributing them to fan frenzy.
Social media has eroded personal boundaries for celebrities—be they film stars, singers, or cricketers. They are constantly followed and photographed, with selfies becoming an expected part of public life. Fans eagerly rush towards celebrities to snap pictures, hoping to boost their social media engagement.
Celebrities, in turn, enjoy the attention. Their social media following is often seen as a measure of their success.
Getting Personal
Millions of Indian fans use various platforms to stay updated on their favourite celebrities, making candid, casual, and personal photos the norm. This has fuelled the rush for selfies.
It's a mutually beneficial dynamic—until resentment arises. This happens when celebrities refuse to take pictures, when their privacy (or that of their children) is breached, or when incidents, like the current controversy, go viral.
Narayan, a celebrated playback singer of the 1990s, may have believed he was simply entertaining his fans. But he undeniably crossed the line.
A Question of Consent
Narayan's actions—going on a kissing spree—were grossly inappropriate. If a stranger were to touch or kiss a woman without her consent, it would legally constitute sexual harassment. So why should a celebrity be exempt from the same scrutiny?
This incident should also serve as a reminder to fans. In their relentless pursuit of selfies and social media validation, they must not lose sight of the increasingly blurred lines between what is acceptable and what is not.
In the world of glitz and glamour, celebrities and fans depend on each other. But clear boundaries must be maintained. Celebrities appreciate fan support and are often happy to oblige requests for photos, but fans, too, must respect their limits.
Earlier, images of Narayan kissing his co-artistes Alka Yagnik and Shreya Ghoshal during a recording session also went viral. This is a clear violation of workplace ethics and amounts to sexual harassment in a professional setting.
Narayan's actions may not seem disgraceful to him, but they have tarnished the respect of countless fans who once saw him as a man of integrity. In 2016, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian honour, for his exceptional singing career. With this latest controversy, any hopes of receiving the Bharat Ratna are now shattered—a loss not only for him but also for his fans, including the writer.
(The author is Contributing Editor, NDTV)
Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author
