Acharya Prashant discusses the pervasive nature of celebrity culture and its dominance over the common person's mind. He explains that people are fundamentally unhappy and dissatisfied with their lives, leading them to look toward celebrities—cricketers, film stars, and influencers—as symbols of fulfillment and success. This attraction is often rooted in greed and fear, where individuals desire the lifestyle of celebrities without investigating the actual internal state or mental peace of those they admire. He notes that this celebrity worship is a result of a lack of intellectual depth and a tendency to be swayed by emotions and crowd mentality. He further critiques how celebrities are used by brands to establish trust for products they have no expertise in, such as cricketers selling inverters or actors selling life insurance. Acharya Prashant highlights a concerning trend where celebrities, often famous only for their physical appearance, are now positioned as intellectuals and life coaches, offering 'life lessons' to the public. He points out the hollowness of this 'larger than life' portrayal, noting that the film industry frequently sees cases of depression, suicide, and criminal activity, yet people continue to idolize these figures. He emphasizes that the public's obsession with the 'behind the scenes' lives of celebrities stems from a belief that these stars possess something incredibly valuable, which is often just an illusion of fame and money. Acharya Prashant also addresses the phenomenon of 'celebrity collaborations,' where spiritual leaders or 'gurus' partner with actors or comedians to increase their reach. He describes these interactions as scripted, contractual PR exercises designed to manipulate the public's perception. He argues that in the current era, the image has become the content, and substance has lost its value. He urges people to develop wisdom and spiritual understanding to see through these deceptions. He concludes by stating that the common man's fear and inferiority complex allow them to be exploited by 'thugs' in the guise of celebrities, and true guidance can only be found by turning toward authentic scriptures like the Upanishads and the Ashtavakra Gita rather than following the superficial advice of famous personalities.
