Dr. Manmohan Singh’s dignified silence inspires integrity, while Bollywood’s silence on farmers’ struggles highlights a troubling indifference—two silences that reveal the power to uplift or overshadow humanity. Humra Quraishi writes…

The power of silence is undeniable, but its impact varies depending on its intent. Dr. Manmohan Singh’s quiet dignity exemplifies integrity and strength, leaving an indelible mark on India’s economic and political history. In stark contrast, Bollywood’s influential voices remain muted on the dire struggles of India’s farmers, raising questions about responsibility and courage in times of need. This article explores how silence, whether uplifting or indifferent, can shape narratives and humanity's moral compass.

As Khushwant Singh and I worked together on his book Absolute Khushwant (Penguin, 2010), where he spoke, and I wrote, he shared in great detail the lives of various personalities and politicians he had encountered over the years. When discussing Dr. Manmohan Singh, Khushwant naturally focused on his brilliance as an economist and his remarkable contribution to putting India’s economy on a path of progress. He also emphasized Dr. Singh’s simplicity and integrity, qualities that stood out in a political landscape often mired in controversy.

Let me share an excerpt from the book where Khushwant described Dr. Singh:
“He is also very humble and simple. He grew up in a small village in a family of very modest means and struggled to get an education. Initially, his ambition was only to be a college professor, find a small flat, and settle in Chandigarh. Then chance changed the course of his life, taking him to Cambridge, Oxford, the UN, and the highest positions in India’s financial institutions; and now, he is prime minister. But he remained grounded.”

Khushwant recounted another poignant story: “I really got to know him during the 1999 election he lost from South Delhi. I was surprised and impressed when his son-in-law, whom my family knew, came to borrow two lakh rupees to hire taxis for the campaign. That they didn’t even have such a modest amount to spare! I gave the money in cash. Only days after losing the election, Dr. Singh himself called me to ask for an appointment. He came to my house with a packet and said, ‘I haven’t used the money.’ He handed me the entire amount I had lent. That kind of integrity is rare in politicians. When people talk of honesty, I always say the best example is the man who occupies the highest office.”

It is significant to note that when this book was published in 2010, Dr. Manmohan Singh was serving as India’s prime minister, a position he held with dignity and steadfastness.  

Bollywood's Deafening Silence on Farmers

Where are the Bollywood stars who have immortalized farmers on screen? Those make-believe portrayals, though romanticized, often brought them fame and recognition. We’ve seen them singing and dancing in lush green fields, bathing in rivers and village ponds, and embodying the idyllic rural life. Yet today, when the real farmers of India face unending struggles, these stars remain silent.

Many actors owe a part of their success to the farmer roles they played. Now is the time for them to stand in solidarity with the very community they once portrayed. Their silence is disappointing, especially when several actors and actresses own farms and flaunt their agricultural ventures. Despite this, they refuse to acknowledge the farmers' ongoing hardships—the burden of loans, financial distress, and suicides. Ironically, the farmer who feeds us struggles to feed himself.

The silence raises uncomfortable questions: Are these stars too preoccupied with their own lives? Or are they afraid of repercussions from the political establishment? History offers clues. During the Gujarat pogrom of 2002, while many poets, academics, and intellectuals spoke out against the violence, Bollywood largely stayed quiet. Only a handful dared to speak against the carnage. The stark reason? Fear. Many believed that standing up for the victims would land them in the "bad books" of the government, risking their careers and films.

This pattern of silence continues today. Despite the communal tensions and socio-political upheavals gripping the nation, Bollywood’s top actors, directors, and producers remain tight-lipped. Their reluctance to address pressing issues, whether it is the farmers’ plight or other injustices, seems rooted in a desire to safeguard their careers.

Thankfully, not everyone has chosen silence. Sensitive and passionate poets have historically written fearlessly, pouring their hearts and souls into their work, unafraid of political fallout. But Bollywood’s creamy top layer remains conspicuously absent in moments when their voices are most needed.

This lack of solidarity from Bollywood contrasts sharply with their larger-than-life portrayals on screen. They play saviours and reformers in films but hesitate to engage with real-world struggles. The disconnect is stark and deeply troubling. If those who wield the power of mass influence cannot stand with the farmers and marginalized communities, then who will?

  

In these trying times, we must ask more of those who benefit from public adoration. Bollywood’s silence is disappointing; it’s a betrayal of the audience that idolizes them. Perhaps it is time for these stars to remember that their influence extends beyond the silver screen, and their actions—or inactions—speak louder than any performance ever could.

Do ponder on this particular verse of Sahir Ludhianvi:

If there is a reason for my angry songs, it is this /That when I see the hungry farmers /The poor, the oppressed, the destitute, the helpless /My heart cannot participate in assemblies of pleasure /Even if I wish, I cannot write dreamy songs of love.