The death of comedy and movie icon Robin Williams has shocked the world today and has left millions around the world heartbroken. Celebrities, friends, fans and even the American President Barrack Obama has gone on the social media expressing their profound grief at the tragedy and also paying tribute to the great artist.
As far as the world knows now, Robin’s life ended by his own hands in suicide due to asphyxia, and this added further emotional trauma to an already shocking end to a life that was beloved to many. It is a known fact that Robin battled depression all his life, which also lead to several problems with substance abuse and addiction, which he had conquered over the years.
One of his most famous movies is of course, Mrs. Doubtfire, which was adapted in to the hit Tamil film later starring the Ulaga Nayagan Kamal Haasan – Avvai Shanmughi.
So Kamal too joined in expressing his grief and sorrow over the demise of an artist he respected and shared something in common with.
However, it is the phrasing and general judgmental tone of Kamal’s message that has taken a few by surprise. This is what he wrote:
“Comedians are invariably critics of society who have masked their anger with humour. Constantly maintaining a funny facade leads to depression. Robin Williams’ true nature is being quick to tears. You can see it in his films. He could have never become a star in the 60’s, for American film heroes were too scared to cry on screen. The Vietnam War changed the American psyche. Rambo was the first popular action hero to show panic, cry and scream in fear. Robin Williams brought dignity to male crying. I like him for his talent. If the alleged story about his suicide is true then I dislike him for ending his life before his due date of expiry. That’s a copout that I don’t expect of an artist of his caliber. Same applies to my Indian idol Mr. Guru Dutt.”
Though this could be a point of contention among many, it is generally agreed that clinical depression is an actual psychological disorder that afflicts many millions of people, and surely when one succumbs to it tragically, it is not the right time to perhaps call it a ‘copout’ or state that you dislike him or her for it!
Well, maybe the Ulaga Nayagan meant it in a different sense but for now, it reads like passive judgement on the plight of another and one’s got to say – surely sir, we expect something more from someone of your calibre as well…
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