We live in a world where we have direct access to our favourite celebrities. From following their fashion and beauty routines to their diets, we want to emulate them in every way, right?
Actor-turned-chef Kapil Verma, who is currently seen on Instant Grub on Zee Zest and has worked on shows like Sanjeev Kapoor Khazana, Saanjha Chulha, Food Food, and Swad Anusar, says that while most of this is harmless, following their food habits can get tricky!
The noted chef says, “Being in the public eye means that everything celebrities do is meant for public consumption. Their actions are magnified and attract a lot of attention.”
“In the social media era, everyone shares their daily routines, and food is often a central part of that. People can’t avoid this part of their lives, so they end up posting their food habits, lifestyles, cooking patterns, and so on. But with this visibility comes a lot of responsibility when people start following you,” he adds.
He continues to say, “I once saw an interview where a reporter asked a celebrity how they manage to stay fit. The celebrity responded by saying, ‘I don’t eat flour, I don’t eat rice, I don’t drink milk, I avoid this and that. That’s how I stay healthy and look beautiful.’ I found it quite bizarre because saying this in front of people—knowing that some will take it very seriously—can be risky. They might start following this advice, which could lead to unintended consequences.”
Kapil urges celebrities to be cautious when giving nutrition advice. “Sharing your knowledge about food brings a lot of responsibility. Of course, you can share what you like to eat, but at the same time, it’s important to clarify that this is what works for you, often recommended by dieticians or health professionals. On social media, everything is out there, so people also need to filter and decide what is suitable for them.”
On the link between food and entertainment, he says this connection is here to stay. “Food and entertainment have always been intertwined. If you look at the cooking shows of the past—like Tarla Dalal’s show or Sanjeev Kapoor’s Khana Khazana—the entertainment value was perfectly aligned with what society wanted at the time. But now, the concept of entertainment has evolved. Not only in cooking shows but in TV shows and films in general, people’s preferences have changed. That’s why, over time, I think change is essential,” he concludes.