On being famous

 On being famous...

Once upon a time, being famous actually meant something. A person had to achieve something real—write a great book, discover a cure, climb a mountain, or lead a nation. Fame was a byproduct of excellence. Today? Fame is fickle, absurd, and often meaningless.

I think back to good old Allahabad, a city that once bred scholars, poets, and freedom fighters. Fame there was earned—by minds like Harivansh Rai Bachchan and Nehru, not by gimmicks. But even then, there were the other kinds—the self-proclaimed sadhus who "miraculously" produced gold coins from thin air, con men who promised hidden treasures to the gullible, and godmen who built empires off blind faith. Some of them have merely adapted to modern times, now selling spirituality online, building Instagram followings instead of ashrams.

And the madness isn’t just confined to religion. Look at today’s viral sensations—Dolly Chaiwala, whose hideous get-up and exaggerated antics have somehow made him famous, or Chandrika, the pav bhaji vendor who has turned street food into a circus act. Then there’s Lily Phillips, who pushes the limits of crassness just to stay relevant. What exactly are they famous for?

Compare this to true fame—the kind earned by legends like Sachin Tendulkar, who dedicated his life to mastering his craft, or M.S. Dhoni, who led with quiet determination and changed the face of Indian cricket. Amitabh Bachchan’s towering presence and relentless hard work made him the megastar he is, while Lata Mangeshkar’s divine voice, backed by years of discipline, cemented her place as the Nightingale of India. That was fame. Real fame. The kind that doesn’t fade with the next social media trend.

It makes me wonder: when did we start confusing attention with accomplishment? When did being loud, outrageous, or just plain ridiculous become enough to be celebrated? Back in the day, if you were famous, it was because you had actually done something remarkable. Now, it’s about being seen—no matter how absurd the reason.

And the worst part? Most of these so-called celebrities disappear as quickly as they arrive. The internet is full of fly-by-night influencers, scammers, and publicity seekers who rise like fireworks—only to burn out just as fast. 

Fame for the sake of fame is a hollow pursuit. At some point, the quest for recognition turns into a desperate act of absurdity. Maybe it’s time we stop chasing the spotlight and start focusing on what truly matters.