Adil Najam
The question mark in the headline is a real question mark. I am not suggesting that there should have been no fuss about Pakistani cricket star Shoaib Malik marrying India tennis star Sania Mirza. I am wondering why there has been as much fuss as there has.
I ask this because I really would like to know why you think it has been so.
Over the last many many days we have received over twenty different emails asking us to do a post about the so-called “Shoania” phenomenon. To be fair, it has been amusing to see the hysteria grow; and even more amusing to see it being fueled by a flabbergasted media that seemed even more out-of-control than the hysteria itself.
We did not do a post till now because we really did not know what we would say beyond echoing the hysteria or simply wishing the young couple well in their betrothal. Although we do wish the couple well and our fondest prayers go with them and their future, we are not particularly keen in doing the first (even though we may well be doing it now!)
We write now because it seems that things have finally begun to settle down. The “dancing on the streets” have ended. The hysteria is subsiding. And our dear friends in the media have somewhat come to their senses and realized that the world remains as complex a place as ever and Pakistan is no less messed up today than it was when this bout of Shoania first broke.
Maybe now is the time to ask the more interesting question: Why was there so much fuss made about Shoania?
I can understand the celebrity and glitterati have rhythms of their own which us mere mortals cannot understand. But I cannot remember any celebrity wedding in Pakistan that has ever generated the type of hype that Shoania did. The closest we have come before this is the wedding of Imran Khan to Jemima. And even that was not in the same league as this.
The question is, why?
Was it because these are two great sporting stars? (Except that, at least in Pakistan, few knew or cared much about Sania or about tennis before this, and other cricketers as popular as Shoaib never received such a reaction). Was it because it was a Pakistani citizen marrying an Indian citizen? (Even though that happens quite routinely). Was it because the glitter of celebrity was mixed with the spice of scandal even as the news broke? Was it because our public is so fed up with “serious” stuff that such a distraction was not just good entertainment but highly welcomed? Was it the extremist politicians across the border who actually made this news? Was it the media that created a big story because they more than anyone else benefit from a big story? Was it all of the above? A combination of the above? Or none of the above?
One last thought before I ask you to respond. Maybe, it does not matter at all that this fuss was made. But the fact is that the fuss was made. And made at proportions never seen before. I suspect that in figuring out why we will not find anything new or even interesting about either Shoaib Malik or about Sania Mirza, but we may find some interesting clues about ourselves as a society. Ultimately, that is what I am looking for here.
I completely agree with Kiran, Even now there are people trying their best to prove Ayesha wrong and Shoaib right. I know fat people are always blamed regardless of whatever. Coming to Sania & Shoaib I feel Shoaib has benifitted more and Sania has lost more. Sadly but truly, this marriage hasn’t done wonders for her. She was harassed in Pakistan, thus the stern look on her face, then she was criticized for the indifferent cold attitue. I don’t blame her one bit. I feel the hysteria is a newly found hobby of Pakistan media. It will die down, don’t worry. The hype was not just because of the controversy but also because of Sania’s care a hang attitude. Shoaib is just plain lucky to get Sania, he got so much exposure in a month which he did not get in so many years of cricket. The bottom line is…. Indian media wasn’t interested in them, infact no big names were there at the wedding even the valima so I guess it is just the Pak media buzz.
I doubt there would be this attention – at least in India, if Sania had married some other Pakistani. I think what disgusted people here was the whole Ayesha issue, and Sania just saying “I know the truth” and seeming to support Shoaib in cheating that girl out of a divorce.
That is what made us lose respect for her. If someone is looked up to as an icon and then behaves in such a manner, it is very disappointing, and the fall of an icon will always get excess attention in media and society.
I dont think anyone has any great respect or liking for Shoaib in India or Pakistan, and now unfortunately Sania has shown that her ethics are’nt any better.
When she says she is from a so called “respectable” family she should understand that money does’nt make you respectable, your behaviour and values make you respectable. Finally Society elders and involvement of indian police had to force Sania and Shoaib to do the right thing.
I hope Ayesha loses weight and gets on with her life, and I just hope Sania never gets fat :)
I would say it was the immaturity to of the media both in India and Pakistan to make non-issue an issue. Secondly it shows that how media influences people’s attitudes in these day. I reminds me U.S. media undue coverage to Anna Nicole’s death some years back.
What disappointed me more is that people are not seeing it a good will gesture of peace between two countries rather a pride that Pakistani cricket star won Indian tennis queen.
the media needed some new big story. there was no NRO or corruption or other scandal to cover for them, so they chose this duo.
To me Shoania sounds like the name of a disease!