Indians barely get to see the ‘complete man’ outside Raymond ads. So they are finding it blasphemous when the textile behemoth’s owner is playing against his company’s tagline. But wait, is it just the Singhanias whose character should be judged? What about Indians poking their nose in private business? Yes, it’s in our blood — love thy neighbour and….don’t leave them alone.
But even before the neighbours, the first to react was the stock market, which according to experts, runs on sentiment. The stock price of Raymond Ltd has dropped 12 per cent since 12 November. Investors want to wear a Raymond suit but not keep the stock in their pocket anymore. The fabric and fashion retailer’s owner Gautam Singhania is in the middle of a dramatic divorce settlement with his wife Nawaz Modi. Sentimental investors, I must say, who put a personal affair (a 32-year-old marriage) over the company’s strong finances. The company will turn 100 in less than two years.
Indians love celebrity splits — from couples to business houses. Take the Ambanis for instance. Over two decades ago, when the Reliance group’s split came, for those not directly invested in their firms, the division had a script that resonated with the Indian family values and experience — baap k marte he pariwaar alag ho gaya (as soon a Dhirubhai died, the sons separated; now it’s all on the poor mother to establish truce). It was in regional language papers and gossip circles then, it’s on social media now. Indians still find the script juicy.
The Singhania’s saga has everyone in a frenzy, and Twitter users and news channels that are running extensive reports probing the reasons behind the impending divorce show discussions on state assembly elections and democracy can wait. We want our own Depp-Amber story and it’s been ages since we smoked up SSR or Aryan Khan-like sensational ‘stuff’. Mujhe drug do, drug do—voyeurism ka drug do.
Modi has allegedly asked for 75 per cent of Singhania’s company that’s worth Rs 11,000 crore as part of the settlement. Everyone from NDTV to India Today has reported the news. Those watching primetime on the Singhanias will not even get 11 rupees. But the kick is priceless.
Well, Indian audiences are notorious for flocking like birds whenever there is a whiff of celebrity gossip, drama, or even better, a separation. Be it social media influencer Kusha Kapila’s divorce that was dissected on Reddit and Instagram, or rumours of Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone’s open relationship, or even the highly controversial Amber Heard and Johnny Depp case, private affairs of public figures are hardly ever that.
Also read: ‘Weekend marriages, ego battles’ — why some IAS, IPS couples who meet during training separate
Backfired announcement
Singhania may have been emulating one of those liberal celebrities announcing his carefully worded separation on X (formerly Twitter). Practising accountability as a public figure, and as someone running a publicly listed company, backfired for the stock. Singhania, who was married to Modi for 32 years, took to X on 13 November to share that the two have decided to “pursue different paths from here on…”. But this was just the starters. The main course would follow over the next few days, which would be relished by an audience bored of Modi, Rahul memes. An amicable divorce announcement soon turned ugly.
Videos started pouring in on social media about Modi not being allowed to enter a Diwali party hosted by her estranged husband Singhania. Real or not, this was enough to egg audiences to choose sides already. Police in India never arrive on time. But moral police? Lightning fast. As the weeks went on, more details were revealed about their relationship, launching a full-blown social media war.
Nawaz Modi and Gautam Singhania have two daughters together, who were not spared from the backlash of the separation. In an interview, Modi accused her estranged husband of hitting her and her younger daughter. While Singhania hasn’t publicly responded, the ‘news’ soon fuelled social media posts attacking his character.
Indian moral police also investigate with a lot of speed. Social media users dug into Singhania’s father Vijaypat Singhania in no time. The father was allegedly kicked out of his house by the son. Old videos show Singhania’s father talking about the ‘treatment’ he faced by his son, and how he was alienated from his grandchildren.
The moral police see poetic justice even in situations where there is none. “Karma!” is now the chant on Twitter. Gautam Singhania first kicked out his father and is now suffering. His wife is leaving him and asking for 75 per cent of his wealth—that’s the story that fits their world order.
“What do these actions speak of Gautam Singhania?” ask social media users. This question though is never posed to them.
Views are personal.