Actor-standup comedian Vir Das is known for the views that he expresses on social media that are often politically and socially relevant. Some of his comments become part of a broader discourse on social networking websites. The latest such comment pertains to the trend of shooting 'Good Samaritan' videos and posting these as reels on Instagram just for the sake of views and likes.
Referring to it, Vir Das wrote on X, "If you’re going to help someone less privileged than you, a delivery person, a vendor, anyone…that’s wonderful, just do it. Maybe write about it in retrospect. Don’t film them for views. Don’t film them breaking down. Insta is full of good samaritans, click farming."
In a separate post on Instagram, the actor cum standup argued that it is not fair to shoot such professionals when they get emotional. He rhetorically stated, "Am I the only one who is conflicted about all these 'Good Samaritan' reels on Insta?"
Then, he asked netizens to take photographs with the people they help out of their benevolence that "showcase them at their happiest post the fact, not their lowest during it."
According to Vir Das, it is "blatantly exploitative" to film such "less privileged" people and post it on Instagram for views, thus diluting the "good intentions" behind it. "I don't know man, maybe I'm old fashioned," he added.
The actor-comedian is also referring to influencers filming themselves doing deeds of charity, such as donating food or money to those in need, just for social media content. For him, the act is not right because it treats the needy as the mere 'subject' of the content, and such influencers put them in a state where they cannot refuse being filmed. He argues that this essentially means the needy trading their dignity in favour of the influencers' likes and views.
Last seen in Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos, the actor-comedian's take has found much support from other netizens.
