On a day just like any other, as the digital world buzzed with activity, popular Indian actress Tillotama Shome brought forth a slice of introspection to her followers on ‘X’, the successor to the once-widely-used platform Twitter. Known for her roles as Ishita Sengupta in Lust Stories 2 and Lipika Saikia Rao in The Night Manager, Shome is no stranger to the spotlight. But recently, her light shined on a different facet of the acting world—the tendency to laud actors for what she deems the ‘bare minimum’.
On the first day of January, the actress cast her voice into the realm of social commentary, tackling what she describes as an “annoying trend”. Shome’s words carved through the silence: “Remember that annoying trend of heaping high praise on actors who came to work on time? Now, we are being praised for repeating the same outfit more than once. Both are expected norms and not a sign of incredible greatness or sustainability.”
It is a peculiar thing indeed, the culture of praise in today’s celebrity-driven world, where the very notions of punctuality and re-wearing apparel have somehow ascended to heights of implausible commendation. In her succinct message, Shome calls out this culture, effectively turning the mirror on an industry and society that perhaps too eagerly seeks heroes in the mundane.
A conversation with Mid-day.com shed further light on Shome’s viewpoints. In it, she reflects on a journey that spelled a slow and steady rise through her craft. From the vibrant hues of Monsoon Wedding in 2001 to the haunting narrative of Qissa in 2015, and the touching narrative unveiled in Sir of 2020, her career is a testament to persistence and transformative growth. Some might look back with a touch of resentment at the inconsistency of recognition, but Shome harbors no such feelings. Instead, gratitude colors her retrospection.
Staying true to the path that she carved through independent cinema, Shome acknowledges the market-driven complexities that often dictate whose faces grace the promotional posters, who becomes the visual anchor for the pulling in of audiences. Yet, for Shome, patience trumps sourness, her mantra echoing the advice of the late, revered co-actor Irrfan Khan – to engage with life’s full spectrum, to find fulfillment beyond the screen if the roles weren’t forthcoming.
Her journey hasn’t been without its supporters. Shome recalls the moment when viewers and media alike clamored for her presence on the promotional materials for ‘The Night Manager.’ Their vocal sentiment saw to her inclusion on the show’s poster, an occurrence she credits to the unwavering love and connection her audience has with her work.
While the question of whether the actress’s observations on minimal praise will lead to a shifting paradigm within the industry remains up in the air, her voice adds to a growing chorus seeking more significant forms of acknowledgement—those that arise not from everyday actions but genuinely impactful contributions.
If the significance of Shome’s commentary is to be measured, it may well lie in its call to action: for industries to engage in more profound introspective practices, for audiences to shift their adulation towards more meaningful achievements, and for individuals within the limelight to advocate for standards that rise above mediocrity. As the conversation around these issues continues to evolve, it is voices like Tillotama Shome’s that keep the discourse dynamic, challenging, and, ultimately, evolving towards a culture that prizes true excellence.
