By Shivangi Singh:Â
When you are like a Godfather to a generation of politicians, actors, directors and authors of a region, you not just hold your own as a demi-Lord but also remain trending on Twitter for days. It might not be the only thing that matters but seeing Late Balasaheb Thackeray as the top Twitter trend for the day, that’s what comes to the mind. His body was kept at Shivaji park in Mumbai for the public to pay their respects and alongwith ‘#Balasaheb’, ‘Shivaji Park’ was also trending all day.
Mahesh Bhatt– “Memories of my childhood days of growing up in Shivaji Park invade me. The story of Mumbai is incomplete without Balasaheb Thackeray.”
Actor Gaurav Kapoor- “I have no problem with 20 lakh at Shivaji Park. What’s wrong is that the other 2 crore are under forced house arrest, some with no food!”
@shadymumbai– “Either Have a Funeral Like Bal Thackeray …or just don’t have any. Rip Balasaheb . Shivaji Park”
Journalist Rajdeep Sardesai– “Gave me an interview in 1988 as a cub reporter. Was generous with his time and thoughts. Offered me beer too! RIP #Balasaheb”
Journalist Sanjay Pugalia– “#Balasaheb funeral, Police official not well trained on how to unfold tricolor, with some struggle, they did manage but it was awkward.”
Actress Neha Dhupia– “watching #balasaheb s last journey..Amazed to see the love , the respect n most importantly the calm amongst millions of people.#mumbai”
Listen to this and be amazed! Prime media house ‘Times Now’ has found the ultimate formula for staying abuzz on Twitter: Play the role of the judge and the newsmaker when there’s a tragedy so that public sentiment is affected and Tweeple come up with a few angry and a lot of witty tweets. Here’s how hilarious a situation like this can get:
@SanSip– “‘Generational shift’. ‘New, resurgent India’. ‘Inflection point’. The award for most cliches in a minute goes to Times Now.”
@Sshankara– “Bala Saheb discussion on Times Now has become a BJP bashing platform under stewardship of Qutubudin Arnab”
@iNeelSoni– “Appreciate Arnab Goswami ‘s (Times Now) coverage on Balasaheb Thackeray’s funeral procession. Justice Arnab Sounds like Shiv Sainik today :D”
@Gotham3– “Waiting for the time when Times Now gives a ‘Time Out Now’ signal.”