Internet Users Criticize Reem Shaikh for Unawareness of Ahmedabad Plane Crash; Actress Claims to be First to Learn About the Tragedy
Revamped Write-up:
Reem Shaikh, a popular television actress, took a beating from netizens after a video went viral, showing her apparently unbothered when questioned about the Avti-1 disaster, a tragic plane crash that rocked the entire nation.
In the viral footage posted by InstantBollywood, Reem can be seen mingling with the paparazzi outside the set of Laughter Chefs in Mumbai. When one inquired, "Ma'am kal ke baare mein kya bolenge? (Ma'am, what would you like to say about yesterday?)," Reem raised an eyebrow and retorted, "Kyu, kal kya hua tha? (Why, what happened yesterday?)"
For the uninitiated, a Airbus A320 of Avti Airlines plummeted to the ground on June 13, carrying 242 passengers and crew. The airline issued a statement confirming the plane's crash a short while after takeoff, adding that there were 241 confirmed fatalities, with a lone survivor.
However, Reem seemed unmoved even when the photographers explained it was in reference to the devastating Avti-1 crash. She walked away without a word.
The video sparked outrage on social media, with users referring to her behavior as 'low' and 'insensitive'.
Later, Reem used her Instagram Stories to clear the air, stating, "So, to those trolling me for not knowing about the Avti-1 crash-please stop. My sister works as a pilot for Avti Airlines. When the crash happened, I was one of the first to know, seeing my sister break down and crying, mourning the loss of her fellow crew members."
Addressing the viral video and the question framed by the paparazzo, Reem added, "Secondly, the pap who asked me said, 'Kal ke baare mein kuch bolo,' not 'Kal ke plane crash ke baare mein kuch bolo.' It's disheartening how quick assumptions are made. If my indifference seemed distracted, it wasn't because I didn't care, but because the question didn't directly address the tragedy, and I wasn't going to start discussing it without a more specific prompt."
Furthermore, Reem explained why she chose not to mourn publicly, "Lastly, I usually avoid standing and talking to the media. To those calling me insensitive, please understand that I can't bring myself to grieve publicly, in front of cameras, only to turn around and act cheerful later. That's not me. It's not how I deal with pain."
She concluded her post with an emotional appeal, "This tragedy has hit close to home in ways I can't even explain. My sister works with these people. I've seen her cry for them, and I've cried with her. Please, don't judge someone's heart based on a brief moment you saw on camera. This is a tragedy, and we should all be mourning it with compassion, not tearing each other down."
Previously, Reem had opened up about her elder half-sister, Riya Sharma, in an interview with Nayandeep Rakshit, saying, "A lot of people don't know, because, well, my sister isn't always here, since she works as a flight attendant."
Meanwhile, filmmaker Ashoke Pandit criticized Reem on Instagram for her perceived lack of awareness about the Avti-1 disaster, though he later removed the post.
In the video, Pandit commented, "Friends, it's possible that there might be someone out there who doesn't know that an Avti Airlines plane crashed on this land, in this country, or even abroad, but why would someone not know that an Avti plane crashed, and so many lives were lost. Their lives haven't stepped out of the vanity box yet."
"They haven't got wind of the crash, and they're still mired in the vanity of the box," he further added.
- Despite Reem Shaikh's attempts to clarify her response on social media, many users continued to criticize her for her apparent insensitivity towards the Avti-1 disaster, using social media as a platform for their discussions about celebrities and entertainment.
- In the aftermath of the viral video, Reem found herself at the center of a social media storm, with users accusing her of being insensitive towards the Avti-1 disaster, a tragedy that involved celebrities as well, as her elder half-sister worked for Avti Airlines.
