Ashoke Pandit
It’s a fact that people look up to Bollywood icons as their role models. I feel deeply hurt and saddened when I see popular faces like Karan Johar, Ranveer Singh and Arjun Kapoor abusing on stage, using unparliamentary language and making a mockery of women’s dignity. They have clearly crossed the line they shouldn’t have by openly demonstrating their sex positions or ideas of masturbating.
It has set the wrong precedent. In AIB Roast video, I was aghast to see how Karan was explaining his sex position in front of 4,000 people while his mother was amused and laughing at him. All I want to say is that if he was keen in showing this to his mother, he could have easily done it in his house rather than doing it on a public platform. Private shows are not meant to be held in auditoriums. This AIB show was not a guarded wedding affair.
I’m shocked on how they mocked actresses like Reema Lagoo or Farida Jalal, who were not present there to defend themselves? Just because this show had patronage of some powerful people, these so-called comedians got an opportunity to insult legendary actors. Actors like Reema Lagoo or Farida Jalal are known names in the film industry. What if I meet Karan Johar in public and abuse or slap him? Will he be able to take it since I think it’s just an extension of AIB satire?
It’s a tragedy that a lot of young people have endorsed the video and its abusive content online. I remember Deepika Padukone created hue and cry when a leading daily published her photograph showing her cleavage. Then what were you doing there Deepika? Don’t you think it was your hypocrisy when you were cheering for cheap jokes on yourself and many other female actors? Where did your sense of dignity go?
I do not think you can get away by presenting vulgarity on a public platform. If you think the language which you used on stage is really cool, then you should not have an objection if public, too, addresses you in that language.
There are certain ethics and morale in this country. You want to do sex, do it at your home. How can you show porn in public? In the name of modernity, you cannot cross a certain line. If you are so excited by this video, then why do you object to politicians watching porn in Parliament? However this country becomes modern, this is not the culture we can tolerate. I do not expect icons doing this nonsense. The Federation of Western India Cine Employees has also condemned it and demanded an apology from the organisers and film stars. Even Amitabh Bachchan has condemned it.
I am told AIB has now removed the video. If they were right, why did they have to pull down the video? The court proceedings haven’t even begun yet. They could have continued if they were right. Unfortunately, there’s a drug addiction in this country among a lot of youngsters. They think it’s good to have drugs and they should be allowed to do it. But have we allowed that? This is exactly the same case. AIB is doping youngsters and drugging them with this culture. This is cultural terrorism that they are inflicting India with.
I also want to question their style of programming and presenting content to their viewers. The Knockout session had an hour-long section on Salman Khan and his sister Alvira. But when Salman threatened them, they deleted it conveniently. But the people who cannot fight their power were brutally mocked. May I ask why? It’s misuse of power.
Since I have raised my opinion, exercising my right to freedom of speech and expression, I am now being trolled online. But I’m not taking criticism personally. I am prepared for it. I want to keep my conscience alive. I want to live a life of a person who believes in ethics and women empowerment. I can never tell my mother this is the way I do sex. Let me also make clear that country is not impressed with AIB’s stupid comedy. It is a bunch of jokers who are going gaga over them. If you want to know what satire is, please follow the works of RK Laxman, Sharad Joshi, Kundan Shah, Gulzar or Javed Akhtar. At least, you will know how to distinguish between satire and porn.
(Ashoke Pandit has explained his stand on AIB’s Knockout video in this open letter published in The Pioneer)
