Ordinary lives of famous others

On the vacuous spectacle of the Preity Zinta-Ness Wadia quarrel

Consider the strange predicament of the policemen investigating the Preity Zinta-Ness Wadia case. On 17 June, the Times of India quoted one of them as saying that there were five CCTV cameras on the stand when Wadia is accused of having abused Zinta and that they have gone through two of them. Normally in a cricket match, you look at the field; this might be a first, an audience for what happens in the stands.

It began with Zinta’s police complaint becoming public. It spoke about how she had been repeatedly humiliated by Wadia, and instantly, the issue went beyond the personal sphere. After headlines that screamed molestation, there followed a surprising clarification from Zinta’s lawyer that there was no sexual abuse alleged—when there is a PR war on, one doesn’t expect such nuances, especially from the aggrieved party. It was either a very gracious act or the beginning of a negotiated peace.

From Wadia’s side, there were leaks to newspapers about how Zinta was jealous because he was in a serious relationship with someone else. And uniquely, in an environment where for every atrocity against a woman there are instant protests on the streets, this time there was an orchestrated agitation against Zinta by workers of a hospital owned by Wadia. They said she was misusing the IPC section that makes outraging the modesty of a woman a crime. They might even have had a point—the section is a nebulous anachronism—if not for the fact that it was none of their business.

Also consider that among the many sections charged against Wadia is one that states that he insulted Zinta so that her reaction would result in a breach of peace and force her to commit a crime. An Express report now says that the police are exploring stalking charges against him.

To add another dimension to the imbroglio, there are now unconfirmed media reports of an out-of-court settlement. The settlement that is spoken about is Zinta wanting to sell her stake in the IPL team that she and Wadia co-own. The problem seems self evident—they can’t stand each other but have joint holdings. Usually this is something that happens with marriages that turn sour; in this case, it seems to have jumped a step.

Does one categorise this as a dispute between former lovers, or between current business partners? Were Wadia still her boyfriend, would Zinta have still refused to make space for his family in the front row? If Zinta was an estranged male business partner who he couldn’t stand—all other things remaining equal—would Wadia’s reaction be any different?

These questions should be pointless for ordinary Indians because it does not make an iota of difference to their lives. And yet, this is a drama that they find themselves engaged with because of the personalities involved. It excites them to have such a ringside view of a personal affair. There is the schadenfreude of seeing how ordinary the lives of the rich and famous are once you are allowed a peek into it. Squabbling over seats like commuters in a local train, being mean and nasty to those who they once loved and cherished, and able to find closure only when embarrassment and humiliation forces it upon them.

IPLNess WadiaPreity Zinta