One of the most widely watched events on earth, the Academy Awards is followed by millions of fans worldwide. This year 15.36 million views were reported on Sunday, which is better than last year’s viewership; 9.8 million views were recorded in 2021, which is very low by Oscar standards.  This year the event witnessed ‘CODA’ lifting the best picture award, while Will Smith and Jessica Chastain got best actor and best actress awards.  Everything looked perfect. But Smith slapping Chris Rock at the biggest stage spoiled the mood of the whole show. Initially it looked like it was scripted but soon we all realised it was an assault on poor Rock.  I feel Rock’s joke on Smith’s wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s lack of hair did not go down well with Smith and that must have upset him badly.

Pinkett Smith spoke out for the first time in 2018 about her diagnosis of alopecia, a medical term referring to the loss of hair. She has been going through a tough time indeed.  This is completely justified. We all have the right to be upset but getting physical for a huge star on such a huge platform is not justified at all. Millions watch and admire the Oscars, hence Smith should have kept this in mind. Smith was quick to apologise, but the damage was already done. Public figures should watch their conduct in public. It is the public which make them star or superstar but such actions will definitely make them bad.

Mohammed Zayyan,
By email