Thursday, August 12, 2010

Julia Roberts: Hinduism or Hype

‘‘Julia Roberts becomes a Hindu.’’ 

In last few days, I read it on numerous sites including this one. Some NRI Hindus emailed Julia’s story to their friends. Some enthusiastic Hindu leaders publically welcomed Julia to Hinduism. See link.
Per Times of India,  Julia is intrigued by Hinduism. What intrigues me is the timing. Why the media hype about Julia’s Hinduism in the days preceding the release of her movie in which Julia plays the lead character that stays in a Hindu ashram in India.
Does it sound right to you?
Did Julia Roberts really learn a new religion in India or learned using religion at the right time like Indian politicians?
What do you think?

32 comments:

SG said...

Nice one. I don't know if this is genuine or hype. Just reminded of something similar to this. Everytime Rajnikanth (Tamil Movie Actor) movie is about to be released he talks of forming his own political party. His fans go wild and flock to the movie theater.

Amrit said...

SG,

Thanks. I did not plan to post anything today but could not resist stating my opinion on this one.

Renu said...

religion is very personal matter, why should it make such a hype...

BK Chowla, said...

I dont see any reason for her to use this as a publicity stunt.Perhaps, she is genuine.

Bikram said...

Well i am going to say what CHowla sir said .. she may be genuine BECAUSE if we look a bit deeper foreigners and other cultures Know more and respect our religions MORE then we actually do ourselves.

Look at what we are doing in our own country on name of religion...

basically its good if she has done this even if its for publicity sake its a SLAP on our face cause if outsiders can think like that its shame on us at the situation we have got ourselves over RELIGION :)

Amrit said...

@Renu:- Theoretically yes. But most time people talk about it.

@BK:- May be you are right.

@Bik:- I completely agree with you. We have done harm using religion.

Anonymous said...

Though provoking post.

Any time I travel outside, I learn new things and change myself. Perhaps Julia's trips to India has intrigued her so much that she has embraced Hinduism. I appreciate her for being open to change and I feel she is genuine.

Coming to Hinduism, it adopts very well and it can be tailored to everyone. Yesterday, I met a Kashmiri Pandit who is fasting because of Ramadan. She said, it is a good concept and she has been doing it only for the first day for many years.

Thanks
Satish

Urmi said...

Very nice post. Its really difficult to say whether she has converted to Hinduism and if so there is no need to make a big hype about that as religion is a very sensitive matter.

R. Ramesh said...

i go with BKC sir on this:)

Insignia said...

Edia is projecting as publicity gimmick. All said and done, any publicity is good. Will help her movie.

Anonymous said...

Not sure what's the exact case with Julia, but I will have to agree that I personally know many Australians who've adopted many preachings from Hinduism and even Buddhism.

So it could be either ways, though I'd like to give her a benefit of doubt :)

Cheers!!

wise donkey said...

why can't it be a bit of both.

everyone is always searching for something new that would make them feel excited. because they have lower dopamine levels.

since there may not be many material options open for her she turns to spirituality hoping it will make her feel better.

and comes across hinduism while shooting and thinks its cool.

of course that is something to talk about so its timed with movies release.

but this is not as bad as akshaykumar posing for a pic sick rklakshman to promote his movie.

Latha Nair said...

Even if this is a publicity stunt,
guess this isn't too bad compared
to the levels our movie stars stoop to!
Religion being a personal issue
people have all the right to embrace
any religion they want to-be it the
stars or the common people

kiran sawhney said...

nice. twist to the whole story. food for thought. right timing to choose religion.

sm said...

is just marketing trick and she is becoming old

sujata sengupta said...

Thanks for dropping by and leaving your thoughts. They are much appreciated.This is my first visit here and will come back for more frequently. As far as this post is concerned, I think, its a bit of both, a bit of love for a new way of life, and a bit of publicity.

R. Ramesh said...

Happy Independence Day buddy:)

Urmi said...

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Wish you a Happy Independence Day.

Anonymous said...

May be she has learnt the importance of timing. But if a religion (any religion) gets a positive boost from it, there is no harm in it I guess. :)

ps: Stumbled here from CB's space. Lovely blog!

Amrit said...

Dear Readers,

I got some wonderful comments. If I compile these comments, I can have a new post. Analysis and different perspectives have been pretty good.

Thanks everyone who have commented (and not commented).


@Anonymous/Satish:- Thanks for your comment. I like your insight into different cultures/religion including Islam. You provided a good example.

@Babli:-Yes, religion is private matter but for celebrities nothing is private.

@Ramesh:- Thanks. Several people agree with BKC.

@Insignia:- Yes. It may help.

@CB:- Thanks. Like your stories, your comments provide a new perspective.

@Wise:- That is very good analysis.

@Latha:- I agree with you.

@Kiran:- Thanks.

@sm:- Thanks.

@Sujatha:- Thanks. Welcome. Good point you have.

@Choco:- Welcome. I hope you like this blog. I agree with you.

A New Beginning said...

I guess religious belief is something thats very personal...media as usual creates a hype for everything they come across..its a habit now!
As far as your point is concerned , there is a possibility that the hype is connected to her upcoming movie..you never know,thats a very ordinary thing in the movie world...publicity makes their movie popular!

Anonymous said...

u have a nice blog...
Meri Nayi Kavita par Comments ka intzar rahega.....

A Silent Silence : Bas Accha Lagta Hai...

Banned Area News : Karnataka News

Neena Sharma said...

Interesting post. Even if Julia Roberts is genuinely interested in Hinduism, we reserve the right to be sceptical because of the way hype is generated

Black Walnut Pearl said...

Good observation! If it is for hype she wouldn't have choosen Hinduism.

अरुणेश मिश्र said...

nice .

Sh@s said...

Its a promotional gimmick.

Amrit said...

@A_New_Beginning:- Welcome to my blog. Good point about media.

@sonal:- Glad you like my blog. welcome. You blog is pretty good.

@Neena:- Thanks. Yes, we do reserve the right to have our own thoughts

@Black_Walnut_Pearl:- Welcome. That is another perspective.

@Misra:- Welcome thanks for comment.

@Shas:- Another perspective. Welcome to my blog and thanks for your comment.

Readers Dais said...

its difficult to judge the credibility..let time prove

Tanvi said...

I think time will tell! :)

dr.antony said...

Getting intrigued by something is not a genuine reason to embrace a religion.Many Americans have in the past tried many of these diversions like Hare Rama and Rajneesh,and finally gone back to something else.These are people with unstable minds who do not know what to do with their lives. Just because they are Americans,don't think that whatever they do is right.Christians in america do not attend church.They don't know what is in the Bible, and then they are "in search" of Nirvana. Joke.
Hinduism is the religion I respect most.They have set examples for tolerance and kindness.If they had a system to convert people,the whole world would have been Hindus. One had to be born in to a Hindu family to be a Hindu or a Brahmin.It is only recently that the Nairs in Kerala evolved a system to receive people who wanted to accept the religion.So,the numbers dwindled while others were busy converting people!
And who cares what Julia Roberts is going to do?Is it going to make an impact in the religion or herself?

dr.antony said...

Getting intrigued by something is not a genuine reason to embrace a religion.Many Americans have in the past tried many of these diversions like Hare Rama and Rajneesh,and finally gone back to something else.These are people with unstable minds who do not know what to do with their lives. Just because they are Americans,don't think that whatever they do is right.Christians in america do not attend church.They don't know what is in the Bible, and then they are "in search" of Nirvana. Joke.
Hinduism is the religion I respect most.They have set examples for tolerance and kindness.If they had a system to convert people,the whole world would have been Hindus. One had to be born in to a Hindu family to be a Hindu or a Brahmin.It is only recently that the Nairs in Kerala evolved a system to receive people who wanted to accept the religion.So,the numbers dwindled while others were busy converting people!
And who cares what Julia Roberts is going to do?Is it going to make an impact in the religion or herself?And she cannot become a Hindu simply because she wants to.

Amrit said...

@Dr. Antony,

Thanks for detailed analysis. I just don't like people using religion for publicity. I really liked your detailed description. Thanks :)