Khushboo entered Tamil cinema a decade and a half ago after not finding much success in Hindi where she was offered forgettable roles. Her cherubic face and child-like articulation were fresh to Tamil. In fact, we could say that she was the pioneer of the Mumbai brigade in Kollywood. She proved her talent and her popularity began to soar. It reached such dizzying heights that some fans also built a temple in her honour and installed an idol. There was the Khushboo wave.

But just as her rise was meteoric, there were some unsavory incidents in her personal relationships. She was linked romantically to a leading actor and had reportedly contemplated suicide. Good sense prevailed and she decided to pick up from where she had left off. She found the perfect life partner in director Sundar C. whom she married. She continued to act. She was also quick to understand the power of satellite television in Tamil households and made her foray through serials and game shows. Like her predecessor Radhika, she also found immense success. A successful career woman, mother, wife, popular actress – she could not have asked for more.

A second dip in her popularity graph came in the form of her reported comments about a survey conducted by a magazine. The survey had estimated the level of awareness about AIDS among the youth. While giving her opinion on the results, Khushboo declared that permissiveness was prevalent and that pre-marital sex was no more taboo. The morality brigade charged that Khushboo had defamed the Tamil community and degraded the chastity values upheld by Tamil women. In the face of rising heat of demonstrations and protests, she tendered a tearful apology in a satellite channel. The issue just cooled off. Last week, popular actress Suhasini Manirathnam, spoke out in support of Khushboo. She said that she was ashamed as a Tamilian of the recent incidents and apologized to her. This sparked off a fresh wave of protests. Several cases had been filed against Khushboo in various courts and she appealed for pardon.

What is the core of the whole issue? Are the reactions to the comments well balanced or is it overreaction? Is there something more to what meets the eye? Was Khushboo right?

In a democracy like ours we have freedom of speech. What Khushboo had told the magazine was her personal opinion. Her comments are not relevant to characterize a long cultural heritage like ours. That is, Khushboo is not an authority on Tamil culture and whatever she said does not reflect its soul. Being a popular figure, her comments were sought. She should have given a careful thought and articulated her answer in proper context. Likewise, Suhasini’s recklessness is also deplorable. On the other hand, if we read carefully into the intentions of those organizing the protests, it is clear that the idea is mainly to gain some political mileage. The language used such as outsider, minority etc. suggest some political colour. Why don’t these organizations protest against the abysmal portrayal of women in Tamil cinema or the use of sex appeal to sell films? Is it in keeping with Tamil culture? There is some shadow boxing going on just waiting to flare up and this issue was a convenient excuse.

Restraint from all sides and understanding in the clear perspective are the need of the hour.

The views mentioned in the article are the personal opinion of the author.