Chris Evans, or Captain America as the world knows him, just started a non-partisan political website https://www.astartingpoint.com/ meant to educate Americans about various issues of the country, in a very unique way- by interviewing elected representatives from both sides of the political spectrum. The videos are short and concise. From an average American’s (one who works two jobs and has barely enough time for family let alone to read and keep themselves informed) point of view, the site is a valuable resource to make an informed decision on whom to vote for and which party to support.
As a student of psychology, there is a big difference between watching someone speak about a topic and reading what they have written or spoken. The former reveals sub-conscious cues that reveal whether the answer is genuine or not. Further, the fact that two groups of politicians speak on the same topic without interruptions by a fiery moderator, helps viewers understand contrasting views and make an informed judgment and draw equally informed conclusions about the issue, the policies of the parties and the stands of the individual politician.
The fact that this website is promoted by Captain America himself, gave it the traction and popularity it deserved. After all, people love when an on screen persona of a superhero breaks the fourth wall and steps into our reality; think comic cons and advertisements. But when a onscreen superhero does something for the betterment of society, its indeed magical. But can any superhero do it? No. We can’t forget that Captain America, Chris Evans, is a white blonde man with a quintessential American jaw, height and built. Such a website would not have worked is a main stream black superhero like… Ok i cant think of one, would do it.
Coming back to India, many mainstream actors have played superheroes. Dharmendra played Tarzan, Govinda danced as Superman, Amitab played toofan and shahensha, his son Abhiskek played Drona, Shah Rukh Khan played Ra.one, Amir Khan tried PK and Kritik Roshan played Krishh and Anil Kapoor played Mr India. I am going to move Shah Rukh Khan outside this list because like blackpanther, spawn and blade, they are not from the majority community. Plus, he did try to speak out in a mature, well articulated manner but got trashed for it for being a Muslim. He backed out not because he was personally affected by it but because he didnt have the majority community on his side to defend the livelihoods of others who are dependent on his films.
But the Bhachans nor the Roshans belong to the majority community yet lack the courage to speak on political issues even though it may be non partisan. The lone crusader who used his identity to spread awareness was Amir Khan with his Satyamev Jayate. It was a series that raised issues in a format never before seen on TV by a country with around 1 billion population. But that series died in 2014, just before the rise of Narendra Modi. Later he too was abused and attacked for speaking his mind.
Some say the series played a part in brainwashing people against the Congress government and into the arms of what is today accepted world wide as an authoritarian regime under Narendra Modi. I think the reality is far more nuanced. Amir Khan’s Satyamev Jayate failed to bring a positive change in society simply because the series didn’t involve politicians across the isle. He highlighted all the problems in the country but let it to the people who to blame. And they blamed the ruling political parties and punished them for it. In the process, they killed the left and progressive ideology along with the spirit of democracy. But at least Amir tried.
So what happened to our Indian Superheroes today? Mr India fought and defeated Mogambo, the fascist dictator who wanted to take over India using his personal army who love to chant his name. Real life Mr India met Mogambo in 2019 to promote his film where he felt honored and privileged to meet him. Captain America could have said the same thing about meeting Red Skull…I mean Trump. He could have spoken against Donald Trump, but that wouldn’t be Captain America, would it? But instead he chose a path to voice himself in the most non threatening, Captain America way possible, bringing all sides together and letting them speak individually and be heard by the masses.
In a land of countless mythological heroes and a dozen or more contemporary superheros, India desperately needs its own Captain America, not to tell us what to do but to bring people from all communities together, even if it is only to hear out the opinions of our elected representatives fairly and without interruptions.
