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by Vidhan Sharma
Nodding your head can do a lot of things.
It could help people be satisfied by the fact that, ‘Indeed- he is understanding my point’. Or it could act as a stimulus to simply exhibiting that ‘Indeed I get your point’- but in actuality, you do not care.
Ranveer Allahbadia, falls in the later category- for the most part.
But, that’s too harsh on him. He must be getting in- imbibing a lot of things- that his guests speak about.
What’s the ‘imbibing’ mostly about, though? Death? Various types of ‘Death’? Thoughts on ‘Death’? ‘Death’ and ‘Death’ with ‘Death’?
Anyway, what’s the point here? Does he only discuss the above mentioned word- in expansive and extensive manners in his podcast? No. He does not.
The point is- What does he discuss?
Well, to this question, the answer varies. He discusses various things on various topics.
‘Varied’ being the key term here.
He discusses geopolitics. He discusses politics within bollywood. Also, Indian politics. Politics in the healthcare industry. Politics of religion. Historic political state of India. Historic political state of the world.
And- also, …..politics…..
Jokes aside.
Why is the image of Ranveer being associated with a boy who listens, but does not understand?
I feel the problem– keeping aside the fake gesturing, constant validation, and yearning of the same from the guests he invites and has a ‘conversation’ with- actually finds itself to be the half-wit talks, and the his archetypal nature of being an over-enthusiastic dilettante.
He might’ve had interests in topics that intrigued him- but the scope for discourse in a mature, yet organic tonal quality, without the pretence of constantly validating the guests with talks of ‘aura’ and ‘energies’ takes away from the issue at hand. One, which the guest was invited for.
For example, the episode in which ‘Palki Sharma Upadhyay’ was called as a guest found to be exploring one such facet. Palki, being a fiery journalist who is regarded mostly for her eloquence and a brutal style of addressing- did not leave any areas for yap-talk. If not this- then he speaks of their ‘energy’- which, at many instances has backfired on him- quite literally. In the initial minutes of the most recent podcast, which was a second one with her- he speaks of how, in the previous podcast- he felt ‘intimidated’ by her- and it's very much clarified, now the second time around that she is actually ‘nothing but a human being’.
He, in the habit of thinking the guest wouldn’t interrogate him on this further- was about to latch onto something else, albeit, that was not to come so soon. “Intimidated’ is a word you’d have to explain now” she asks- at an instance. In that moment, you could see Ranveer installing the updated software of ‘YapMaster 33’ in his head, and burgling whatever comes in his mind- or even does not.
She was asked questions about ‘general’ things. ‘Importance of Soft Power’ and the entire segment- which has led to that particular point, have been areas which he already has explored- with other guests, like Abhijit Chavda.
Although, one can find exceptions, mostly from the end of the guests. People who are most regular with appearances on the podcast include personalities like Abhijit Chavda and Rajashri Nandy. The talks of these individuals, I clearly enjoy- and surely learn from, in the aspect of perspectives and visions.
Yet, ‘dumbing it down’ and the attitude to ‘What could this be?’ takes away from a natural discourse that could actually reach a better-higher philosophical sphere.
The conversation seems to always remain at the base, and never be ‘elevated’ to more meaningful insights, thoughts and questions that lets one ponder.
However, one could say it makes sense for the following reasons for him to do the ‘generalisation’:
He has to explore other topics
He has to speak of things that might interest the guests in the 1.5 hours of the podcast
And, that he has to be relatively common in terms of his questions- to reach a mass audience
Despite all this- there seems to be a larger disconnect with the way he addresses his audience, and their intelligence. If not in a loud- clarified note, definitely in a hushed- subtle manner- he makes it clear- that ‘clarifications’ on various grounds are necessary- and that many points would go ‘misunderstood’.
In terms of relativity, he does a fine job of balance, and makes sure- nobody misses out- while watching his content. Maybe, in the guidebook of the ‘quantity-quality’ proportion, the masses, as per the interpretation Ranveer is working with- are only attracted by pedestal level conversations. Thoughts that are best explored and talked about in its basic manner, while not delving into it- with a deeper vision.
An uneasy and odd way to break the ice, between him and the guests.
Death? Dying? Would this be the way you’d address somebody with- once you meet them for the first time, that too in an artificial setting like this?
On a purely conscious level, it seems like Ranveer has stuck to a maximum of two-three topics in his head, and tunes in to the same “like a stuck gramophone”- around these very same subjects.
Yet, I feel- and I do quite strongly, this might give him numbers- in terms of viewership- but it soon would lose its viability. A deeper cognizance for root ideas can shape a new ‘intellectual base’ in the country, with the help of the podcast. Yet, at this point, it only feels like ‘fact-dropping sessions, with a little bit insight, accompanied by wisdom and semi-perception’ with Ranveer Allahbadia.
Plus, when one hears the other person out to simply react, the basis of a conversation falls flat.
Along with these rational ideas- there seems to be an annoyance that the audience is lately associating with him.
Let's address that.
But, he does a smart thing. He asks her a question instead.
“Don’t you think your public image is a little intimidating?”- lifting the entire pressure of the ‘explanation’ off his head- which, to be honest- he didn’t have.
Faith.
It’s such an important and vital term- yet it suffers from being misconstrued in the 21st century. The way Ranveer affects and influence the teen population- not just in terms of the way that they ‘think’ and ‘ideologically’ better themselves, but also by their choice of fashion, approach towards dating, ‘carving’ a personality-what brings them through, is the faith and trust that he’s built with these people, as their ‘BADE BHAIYA’.
And, well- who does not like a protective elder brother, who grooms you?
Well, to the case- as it always has been with ‘Faith’- the issue does not lie with the ones who believe or ‘keep faith’. It, regrettably, lies with those who the believers ‘keep their faith in’.
Yet, the aim of a podcast could vary. It could very well be to simply earn an exponential amount of money- while maintaining a high-end, conversationally rich content style, and approach- which could benefit a lot of individuals, who- together, would make up the society.
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But what is it- that attracts viewers, in such large numbers?
Is it the sheer personality of Ranveer? Is it his grasp on Content machinery and algorithm that makes him unique? Or, is it the choices he makes as an entrepreneur? The guests he invites? Or maybe, his unfettered undeterred business choices?
To be honest, it is none of that. Yet, all of it. Ranveer rightly uses a balance of each- with appropriation, to hit the nail- rightly on the head.
Despite the quality of the content being diverse and to be honest, well equipped with the topics in discussion- the problem statement was the ‘I’ in ‘Ranveer’. And, have a clear look. There isn't one.
Ranveer- with the ideals and aspects of the ‘young-Indian’ entrepreneur- with the journey that demanded him to reach there, can serve to be a better idol than most instagram oriented ‘influencers’. Yet, the problem lies in the one-tone nature of the ‘perception’ around Ranveer. He has simply become the ‘podcast-guy’ who might cause deterred annoyance- racing footsteps for ‘clout’, and gaining attention from those who’ll help him win the ‘match’.
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I hope Ranveer finds this, and makes it to a point that he- in a tandem, builds a base for the country- that is intellectual, confident and conscious about ideas. This being something that he is capable of building.
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