Shilpa - An Epilogue

So, the show is over. Kahani khatam, paisa hajam. Everyone gained except the 5 million suckers who sent sms's and made Vodofone richer and gave Channel 4 a new lease of life.
Our desi channels had nothing else to do but flash the winning cry of shilpa, the fireworks, the interview with CEO of Big Brother and footage of Shilpa's domestic servants singing paeans about their "Madam"

Shilpa's career in Bollywood had gone to seed. Her mother is a shrewd businesswoman. She grabbed the offer refused by Kareena and Mahima and sent the seed to London where fortuitously the soil was rich and a miracle fertiliser called Jade Goody did the rest. Mom flew to London, ostensibly to give moral support to her daughter close at hand, but in reality, to reap the golden harvest, sack the previous agent, grab new contracts and offers from the tabloids, hosting tv programmes and writing a book on her experiences. Maybe a Hollywood offer is in the offing too. So, when rains, it pours. Shetty beti is riding high. The sacked agent is now threatening to pull the skeletons out of the cupboard such as shilpa's seeking help of the mafia to recover her dues from Garden Silks, the arrest warrants against her parents, et al . But who cares. Nothing succeeds like success.

Now it is time for us to introspect: Are we using our fingers correctly, why do we undercook our chicken, why do most Indians live in slums? What about our accent?
I for one feel that we should continue to be what we are. These are our USPs and if India sells, it is because of these oddities. India shines! Mera Bharat Mahaan!