New Delhi: In the heat of the election, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave an interview to actor Akshay Kumar. The previous day, Kumar tweeted that he would be entering an “unknown and uncharted territory” through a “completely non political” chat.
The interview focused on Modi’s personal life, relations and interests while picking on anecdotes that sought to portray him as a soft and humane politician.
English channels
India Today TV
With the title, “Jab Akshay Met PM”, the channel discussed the interview in which the actor asked PM questions like “You sleep for just 3 or 4 hours”, “Do you have any friends in opposition parties” and “Do you give anything to your mother out of your salary”. All of these allowed him to project himself in a positive light.
Anchor Rajdeep Sardesai asked if this branding exercise would work or if has backfired.
Leading advertising professional Santosh Desai explained: “It is a part of what Modi has been doing for a long time – he speaks through different channels in different voices. Sometimes he is the aggressive orator Modi, sometimes he plays the victim who Lutyens media is out to get. He is also an avuncular voice, a family elder in ‘Mann ki Baat’.”
When Sardesai asked if this was “a well choreographed, scripted PR gimmick”, brand guru Jagdeep Kapoor replied it had all the trappings of one.
Times Now
With #ModiInterviewDebate, the channel also focused on the interview. Samajwadi Party spokesperson Ghanshyam Tiwari claimed that this was an “advertorial”. He said the interview has conveyed on behalf of Modi – ‘I am losing this election, but I am a good man, vote for me’.
Anchor Navika Kumar asked “why the opposition always has a problem with Modi?”. “Is this a case of sour grapes – they have a problem if he attacks others, and even if he is smiling or talking like an ordinary person.”
Journalist Smita Prakash said the criticism was unfounded as politicians are entitled to give interviews best suited for them. “Akhilesh was interviewed while he was cycling – all politicians do it in a different manner. It is just a new style of interaction.”
Politician-journalist Ashutosh said he quite liked the interview. “At least he smiles – otherwise he has an image of a person who indulges in vitriolic talk and who is unsparing of his opponents.”
Kumar also recalled that in the past, Rajiv Gandhi was interviewed by Simi Garewal, “who even made him sing a song”.
Republic TV
Through its tagline “Blockbuster Modi Interview” and #Modi2019Khiladi, the channel eulogised Modi as a master strategist.
“If the PM is projecting his personality in the middle of an election, I want to know what is wrong with it. Is it the country’s problem that Rahul Gandhi does not have much of a personality,” quipped anchor Arnab Goswami.
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As he looked around for some condescending comments from panelists, journalist-politician Shahid Siddique gave this tongue-in-cheek jibe: “Nothing wrong with the interview, it was brilliant. He has shown his soft human face when he was being taken very seriously. He is also appealing to the middle class which was angry with him. He is happy giving these positive, easy and soft interviews.”
Gaurav Bhatia of the BJP found a “humane touch in this interview”. He said it was consequential because it disturbed the opposition. “He is a communicator par excellence.”
NDTV 24X7
The channel analysed the issue of “hate speeches”, noting that Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath was guilty the most times.
Anchor Nidhi Razdan said “we are looking at those hate speeches which target or seek to divide communities.”
Aruna Roy of National Campaign for People’s Right to Information said she was “really shocked at the level of discourse. I have seen the kind of low grade language and animosity and use of religion and caste for targeting people.”
She said the discourse has also moved from substantive issues to divisive ones – and no one is talking about development right now.
Brand strategist Harish Bijoor spoke about how hate is being spread vituperatively and politicians who are best of friends in normal times are vitiating the atmosphere through their vitriolic diatribe. “Politicans are excellent actors, but citizens take their words very seriously and the impact lingers on far beyond the elections.”
Hindi channels
NDTV India
The channel had a special story on the Bilkis Bano case and the Supreme Court’s direction to the Gujarat government to give Rs. 50 lakhs, a job, accommodation and compensation to her.
Bilkis Bano was gang-raped during the 2002 Gujarat violence. During the violence, 14 members of Bilkis’ family were killed, including her daughter. This compensation comes two years after the Bombay high court delivered justice, convicting 11 of the accused, including five Gujarat policemen and two doctors for tampering with evidence.
Also Read: Bilkis Bano and Her Undeterred Resolve to Hold on to One’s Right of Citizenship
With the headline “Der say mila nyay kya nyay kehlaya jayega” (Will delayed justice be termed justice at all”) it covered a press conference by Bano. It showed her saying “our fear is also gone now”. In 2008, the lower court convicted 18 people in the case and later the Bombay high court in 2016 upheld the order.
“Bilkis – satisfied with SC order” and “Bilkis – I want to live my life now” were two of the headlines.
ABP News
The channel also reported Modi’s interview, terming it “American style main Modi ki Indian politics” (Modi’s politics in American style).
It also spoke about the Congress’s objection to the interview through “Modi ka emotion … Congress bol rahi hai isay promotion” (Modi’s emotion, Congress sees it as promotion).
Zee News
The channel looked at Modi’s attack on West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee. “Modi accuses Mamata of using goons for winning elections,” read a headline.
“If Didi has power of goonda tantra, we have power of loktantra (If Didi has the might of goons on her side, we have democracy),” another quote on the channel said.
Anchor Sudhir Chaudhary concluded that with the Modi government returning to power on May 23, the countdown for departure of Trinamool Congress from the state will begin.”