4 reasons why it's time to relaunch 'Selfie with PM', but in Bollywood
Modi asked his audience — ‘How’s the Josh?’ — which is a dialogue of Vicky Kaushal's character in Uri.
In 2015, the BJP launched its ‘Selfie with PM’ campaign in Delhi ahead of the Delhi Assembly Elections. The aim was to woo young Delhi voters who, the party must have thought, were quite taken by the selfie culture. They could visit these ‘Selfie with Modi’ booths and click a photo with a ‘virtual’ Narendra Modi.
The first such booth was inaugurated at Khan Market by Amit Shah.
Well, the project bombed. (Though a number of mobile applications stole the idea and came up with various Android and digital apps).
We guess Delhi was not the right place.
After four years of trial and error, finally, the sweet spot has been discovered.
It’s Mumbai. It’s Bollywood. And no need of a virtual PM, as the real PM is quite appreciative of the effort Bollywood stars are putting in.
Result: Every Bollywood star now has a photo with Modi.
Now is the time when the party can officially launch a similar — just more glittering — programme!
Here's how the new 'Selfie with Modi' is a win-win for all in the picture:
1.). Mutual admiration
What was confined to occasional meetings, once in a while, became a regular occasion to admire each other.
It started soon after the Union government, on December 22, 2018, decided to revisit GST on movie ticket prices. It was announced movie tickets up to Rs 100 — which were under an 18% GST slab — will now come under a 12% GST level. Tickets above Rs 100 — which were under a 28% slab — will be now under the 18% slab.
This opened the floodgates of mutual admiration.
A number of Bollywood stars, in a group or individually, were seen in a cloud of happy adulation around Narendra Modi — in Delhi, in Mumbai, in bliss.
Then, he inaugurated the first National Museum of Indian Cinema.
You can well imagine what happened after that.
2.). There’s something called a 'backfie'
The film industry is huge. Even if we overlook those who mostly remain overlooked and think of those whom we can easily identify from a photo — the number is massive.
It’s not possible for all to fit into a frame with PM Narendra Modi. So, here comes something called the 'backfie' — where you pose exactly behind PM Modi's back and that becomes a 'backfie'.
So, the BJP won’t actually have to spend crores setting up booths.
Our creative geniuses will find one way or the other.
Not losers but Rockstars! No selfie Jab We Met but there will always be another occasion. :) https://t.co/1Ud7D5jIvd
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 20, 2019
3.). Career boost
PM Modi’s official Twitter handle praising Kapil Sharma’s sense of humour is absolutely mind-blowing.
Kapil Sharma took a long sabbatical from television as he was making news only for the wrong reasons — brawls, Twitter fight with colleagues, etc. Then he got married and made another comeback.
All is well, so far.
And then came this certificate from PM Modi.
When @KapilSharmaK9 appreciates somebody's humour, it sure makes that person happy and I am no exception. :)Thank you for the kind words Kapil. https://t.co/SHVTH6vI8p
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 20, 2019
4.). Free film promotion
In his address during the inauguration of the museum, Modi asked his audience — ‘How’s the Josh?’ — which is a now iconic-dialogue of Vicky Kaushal's character in Uri — The Surgical Strike.
Very high. Evidently.
Even after they reached home and started going through the photos of the ceremony.
Kartik Aaryan, who is in the news as Saif Ali Khan's daughter Sara Ali Khan wants to date him, posted the photo of the 'backfie'. The official Twitter handle of the PM retweeted that photo, captioning it as ‘No Selfie Jab We Met’, referring to Imtiaz Ali’s Jab We Met, as Imtiaz was also there on the photo ('backfie' we mean).
What an honour! ???????????? https://t.co/kR3qyuz3jn
— Vicky Kaushal (@vickykaushal09) January 19, 2019
Can you believe this?
The PM’s official Twitter handle is taking notice of Vicky Kaushal, Kartik Aaryan, Imtiaz Ali.
If this is not Sabka Vikas, then what is?
Also, there will be a full-fledged university for communication and entertainment, as the PM announced, apart from something like a Global Film Summit in India. Promises have been made to amend the Cinematograph Act, 1952, to curb piracy as well.
We reiterate — it's high time the old campaign got a new lease of life.
Also Read: When Modi met Bollywood: What the industry's power picture with the Prime Minister proves