Shameful act! ---RK Mukherjee's blog

While interviewing Hrithik Roshan two years ago for Mumbai Mirror, I'd asked him about his alleged affair with Kareena Kapoor. He’d promptly replied, "A senior journalist like you believes in whatever you read in the newspapers and magazines? You must be kidding, right?"

Unfortunately, 65 per cent of the people in our nation still believe in what they read. We, as representatives of the media, try to cater to truth (at least, we think we do) and that's what makes our daily life interesting.

I have realised that due to cutthroat competition, most of the tabloids and even to a certain extent the electronic media have gone berserk. The recent example of Malaika Arora and Arbaaz Khan was the last nail in the coffin.

I mean how could someone lie blatantly about their marriage just for the sake of publicity? It seems the actor wanted the journalist to publish a fake story so it would hype their campaign. The day Mumbai Mirror carried the report of the Khan couple heading for a divorce, (mind you it was a front page story) it came like a shocker. But soon after, I was informed by one of my colleagues that it's a publicity stunt by the Khan couple and the actors had taken the publication and reporter for a ride.

I always thought that Malaika had some class and she would not stoop to such a level. These are the kind of publicity stunts, which Rakhi Sawant and Mika have pioneered. (Now it seems even Upen Patel is following the footsteps after the Tabu incident.)

The next day, I equally truly shocked to read the clarification by the tabloid that Arbaaz had cheated them and Malaika was running to cover up her face.

I remember my early days in Mumbai Mirror when I had to call stars and ask for stories. Most of the time, they would divulge controversial details but would refrain from being quoted in the article. We trusted them and printed the story. But they would realise the story has worked negatively, they would deny it upfront.

There are innumerable instances where my editor (I truly owe her big time) stood like the Rock of Gibraltar even when the actors and directors denied my reports. She would always warn me, "Record all your conversations". Initially, I would wonder why she asked me to do that. But I soon realised the importance.

A few years back, I had written an article on Tusshar Kapoor. I had asked him about being single and not having an affair, and also asked him what he had to say about being labelled gay, and he'd answered.

The next day, Tusshar called the publisher and also my editor. He denied that he spoke to me, and also said all of it "was my wild imagination". My colleague on the TV beat got a threatening call from Ekta Kapoor saying henceforth she would never give her any stories. (Ironically, now the reporter is working for Balaji Telefilms.) The situation became serious and I was almost asked to quit. But thankfully, I had recorded the conversation with Tusshar Kapoor. I played the tape and my editor was convinced. So were my colleague and my publisher. I don't know what happened to Tusshar or Ekta Kapoor after that. They never bothered Mirror again.

The reason why I am sharing this is to make a point that it's not the journalists who act nasty with stars, but most of the time it's the stars who act nasty with the journalist. What happened with reporter Vicky Lalwani of the paper has happened many a times with other journos. Very few have the guts to share it in public domain.

I feel this will continue in tabloid journalism, as they're looking for gossip and controversies. The stars are intelligent enough to understand the 'requirement' of various publications and they cater accordingly. I also agree that a journalist needs to be sure about his facts and considering the fact that Malaika and Arbaaz were partying the night before this article was published, the reporter should have cross checked with Salim Khan who is always available for quotes.

I’m glad that most of the publications slammed Malaika and Arbaaz for this cheap thrill. These are the same stars who get upset when we write 'bedroom' stories. These are the stars who try to teach us morals. I’m just wondering how much the cosmetic company paid them for this ridiculous gimmick. I’m also wondering what would their little child feel when his friends will make fun of his parents.

This is a lesson for both, the stars and the tabloids. Sensationalism is always welcome, but then it can boomerang. Now I know why Hrithik doesn't believe in what he reads...and I guess it's high time we too grow up.