Instant fame eclipsing enduring talent, warns Indian Opinion

Indian Opinion writes that the age of instant fame is eroding the value of enduring talent, as visibility increasingly replaces achievement. The article argues that smartphones, television, and social media have blurred the line between attention and accomplishment, allowing anyone to become famous overnight, from viral video stars to reality-show contestants and politicians trending on mere provocation.

Film stars and cricketers benefit most from this culture, with one hit film or innings sparking extravagant comparisons, while one failure invites instant dismissal. The same trend affects literature, arts, and politics, where spectacle and soundbites outweigh legislative competence or intellectual depth. The piece questions why institutions of recognition, such as awards, academies, and serious journals, have grown weak, often succumbing to the very publicity they should filter.

Indian Opinion calls for a mature culture that honours both a film star and a dedicated writer, and that preserves the capacity to distinguish between what entertains and what enlightens. It stresses that India's classical traditions of excellence make this distinction especially important, urging patience and discrimination in an age of fleeting celebrity.