DNA Celebrity Column: Shirishly Speaking — Shirish Kunder is the agony uncle you never saw coming

Dilemma of a Dhinchak fan

Dear Shirish,
I’m a big fan of Dhinchak Pooja; she’s my guilty pleasure. I watch her songs every day and laugh my guts out. For me, they are more of stand-up comedy than songs. But just now I discovered that all her songs have been removed from YouTube. Who would commit such a dastardly act? From where will I get my daily fix now?
—Dhinchak Pooja Fan

Dear Dhinchak Pooja Fan,
This is clearly a terrorist attack. Terrorists are trying to eliminate anything that brings the Indians and the Pakistanis together. But unfortunately for them, this has now brought the Bhakts and Libtards together. Bhakts have started doing ‘Kadi Ninda’; while Libtards, #NotInMyName. I’m sure YouTube will be forced to bring back the videos soon; until then, manage with Dhinchak Pooja’s Android version — Taher Shah.

The ‘real’ picture

Dear Shirish,
My son is a very good dancer and wants to take part in a dance reality show. But recently, after reading about some Bollywood people asking for a ban on reality show for kids, while a few others supporting the same reality show for kids, I’m confused. Is taking part in a reality show bad for kids or good? I thought it’s a great platform for our kids to show their talent to the world. Otherwise, where will children of people like us, who don’t come from big film families, ever get a chance to show their talent? What is your opinion?
—Concerned Parent

Dear Concerned Parent,
Those who are not/no longer offered to judge these shows are opposing it, while those making money judging them are supporting it. These things cannot be generalised; you must choose what suits your purpose. As for my opinion, sport competitions are also performed in front of a crowd and puts a lot of pressure on kids. But it also teaches them sporting spirit and other important life lessons like team spirit and learning to cope with winning and losing. Reality shows are like sports for the arts.

No room for honest men?

I was so disappointed to see how an honest, dedicated and disciplined gentleman like Kumble was unceremoniously ousted from the position of coach for the Indian cricket team, and Virat Kohli’s ‘Yes Man’ Ravi Shastri appointed in his place. Since something like this is currently happening with me in my office, I can very well relate to it. I’m so disillusioned by all these things. Is there no place for genuine people in this country?
—Idealist

Dear Idealist,
Sh*t happens, but there’s something to be learned from every experience. This teaches us that office politics, automation and artificial intelligence may eventually take away all jobs, but a ‘Yes Man’ will always be required.

Fee ka funda

Dear Shirish,
I’m a student from IIT-Bombay. We have been on a hunger strike for more than a month protesting against the fee hike. But now our institute management has put the ball in our court and asked the students to suggest ways to reduce fee. We have formed a student committee that is drafting a plan to suggest ways to reduce fee. Any suggestions?
—Anonymous Student

Dear Anonymous Student,
Take a leaf out of Air India’s book. Stop serving non-vegetarian food to students with low grades.

Write to him at shirish.kunder@dnaindia.net