Stars Make Money, Soldiers Make Sacrifices — Who Deserves the Cheers?

A superstar waves from a luxury vanity van, greeted by a thousand screaming fans.
At the same moment, somewhere along the LOC, a young jawan drinks his last sip of water before another freezing patrol.

Only one gets a standing ovation.
Only one trends on social media.

And it’s not the one who might not return home tonight.

Ask yourself: Do you know the name of the soldier who saved 50 lives in the Kargil war?
But you probably know which actor played a commando in a blockbuster movie.

When was the last time you clapped for a soldier’s bravery without a background score or camera angle?

Bollywood has a knack for turning patriotism into profit. Every Republic Day and Independence Day, a “josh-filled” film releases. It moves you, yes—but only till the end credits roll.

Actors charge ₹20 crore for a role where they wear a uniform.
Soldiers earn ₹40,000/month for a life where the uniform might end up bloodstained.

It’s not about blaming the actor. It’s about remembering who actually lives the script.

Soldiers don’t post gym selfies or luxury resort reels. They post letters home—if they get a chance.
And yet, we flood celebrities with likes and comments, while soldiers stand untagged in our gratitude.

A soldier doesn’t get “fan edits.”
He gets folded flags.

We cheer for our cricket team as if the fate of the country depends on a toss.
But when a jawan dies on the border, we change the channel.

It’s not wrong to celebrate celebrities.
It’s just wrong to forget soldiers.

Let me share a true excerpt from a soldier’s letter to his younger brother:

Now imagine that in a film. Oscar-worthy.
But in real life, we scroll past it.

Every Indian knows someone who has served—or lost someone who did. Your father’s cousin. Your classmate’s brother. The uncle next door.

They don’t walk red carpets.
They walk minefields.

Yet they rarely talk about it. Because they don’t need limelight. They need respect.

Here’s a bitter truth:

• A soldier’s family may struggle for pension after his death.
• A star’s family earns royalty decades after a single hit.

Where is the applause fund for the man who actually saved lives?

During a cricket win, we shout “Jai Hind!”
During a terrorist attack, we update our DP.
But between those events?
Silence.

True patriotism isn’t loud on social media—it’s consistent in small actions:

• Standing still for the anthem.
• Donating to soldier relief funds.
• Teaching kids about real heroes.

A superstar’s film will fade from memory.
A soldier’s grave will remain etched in time.

Applause fades. Sacrifice echoes.

We need both—entertainment and protection.
But one deserves cheers.
The other deserves reverence.

• Stop clapping just for screens. Start clapping for service.
• Stop comparing salaries. Start comparing impacts.
• Learn about gallantry award winners.
• Support NGOs helping soldiers' families.
• Teach our kids that being brave isn’t always about being famous.

Captain Vikram Batra didn’t charge ₹100 crore to say “Yeh Dil Maange More.”
He said it with his last breath.

Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan didn’t get a film trailer. He got a nation’s tearful salute.

Subedar Neeraj Singh didn’t have an IMDb page. But he had a story worth telling.


This isn’t about shaming stardom. This is about remembering sacrifice.
This is about balance. About celebration with conscience. About choosing who we worship—and why.

Let us not clap louder for fiction than we bow for fact.

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