Thread by @beastoftraal

Finally got down to watching the now-famous Republic Summit debate (or non-debate) featuring Kamal Hassan and Smriti Irani. (on YouTube: bit.ly/2VhJugA). Kamal's horrendous show reminded me of Narendra Modi. The last time someone asked him tough questions, he walked 1/6

2/6 out of it mid-air (Karan Thapar). Both Modi and Kamal seem adept in speaking when there is no opposition or if it is being done in a controlled scenario (Kamal in movies, and Modi in Mann Ki Baat or election rallies, or even in the Parliament, when his team props the

3/6 debate letting him say whatever he wants as if he's speaking in an election rally). When they are comfortable that nobody is questioning them, they both offer the illusion of being a superior thinker and speaker. But this is not to say that this is wrong or a weaker

4/6 aspect - some people think slow, but deeply and articulate it in peace when there's no compulsion of an immediate response. Some are good at thinking on their feet and hammering the debate with sheer force (like Smriti Irani, who is a master at obfuscation and diverting the

5/6 topic in a way that benefits her. And she does it beautifully, like a master, supremely confident in her skills since she is incredibly articulate). Both are just different styles of thinking and expressing. In both cases (Kamal and Modi), much of the posturing and thoughts

6/6 come from others who write it for them and they deliver it, and 'sell' it to an audience who don't have the luxury to question what is being sold with them (only among themselves, quite pointlessly). But the selling is done extraordinarily well - that's their strength!

Related:

1. "The planning was so detailed that they even pulled up a guy named Vikas from the Coimbatore center so that Modi can joke, 'So Vikas has reached down south' " bit.ly/2Q9gnZf

2. News from today's Deccan Herald. "Chaliye, Puducherry Ko Vanakkam"

#CPKV