Saikhom Mirabai Chanu has become India’s favourite athlete ever since bagging the very first Toyko Olympic medal for the country when she earned the silver in the 49 kg division with a total lift of 202 kg. The accomplishment made her the first Indian weightlifter to win silver at the Olympics and the second Indian weightlifter after Karnam Malleswari to win an Olympic medal.

Ever since her journey back home, anything and everything Mirabai is doing, has been in the news. Her humility and the fact that she relished Indian food while sitting on the floor in a tiny, unkempt room with blank walls and a cemented surface, have made her more of an inspiration to the Indian youth.

That smile when you finally eat ghar ka khana after 2 years. pic.twitter.com/SrjNqCXZsm

— Saikhom Mirabai Chanu (@mirabai_chanu) July 29, 2021

Unfortunately, when a celebrity reaches a certain stage, comparisons become a common means for fans to express their affection or hate for them and that’s exactly what happened in the case of Mirabai as well.

On the receiving side of such collations, Mirabai was lauded by a certain section of her fanbase for her humbleness and down-to-earth nature. However, the person on the shape end of such comparisons turned out to be the 22-year old actor Ananya Panday, who received the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut for the work she did in Student of the Year 2.

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Being the daughter of actor Chunky Panday, Ananya’s career, albeit with just three released films, has already been in question for nepotism and her accomplishment has been branded as “bought” and not “earned”.

Additionally, the pictures of Ananya sleeping with her award were used to portray arrogance while drawing parallels between the athlete and the actor.

That is true.!! pic.twitter.com/MVVoJVNUe2

— Office Of Mishraji (@RahulMi46867098) July 29, 2021

Surprisingly, many even agreed with the comparison and found logic in belittling one’s achievements to acknowledge those of the others:

..and the irony is that, star kids, movie stars get more limelight and followers in our country.

— Sabrina Lyngdoh (@Sabrene) July 30, 2021

Well said

— Manish Manou (@manish_dhapte06) July 29, 2021

True

— ShiningStar (@star1nidhi2cute) July 29, 2021

Don't compare glory of hardwork with nepo shit

— ANKIT (@republican_kit) July 29, 2021

Thankfully, many also decided to stick with reason and opposed such comparisons, talking about how it is not always important to demean someone only to show the worth of another person. The two belong to completely different fields of professions and should be respected for whatever they’ve achieved:

You can celebrate one's achievements without belittling others.

— Ashish kumar (@Ashishk26778960) July 29, 2021

Bhai Jo bhi hai plz don't pull a woman down to celebrate another's success. Just celebrate mirabai's success without comparing it to others.

— Ashish kumar (@Ashishk26778960) July 29, 2021

Its not necessary to always criticize others.

— Saurav Mandal (@SauravM33733457) July 29, 2021

So is it her mistake if she is a starkid??????

— indian1st (@neirrrajjj) July 29, 2021

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