Ranveer Allahbadia
Credit: X/@Neha11198
The controversial remarks of podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia have caused outrage across the country, especially on the internet, but many still debate whether the comments require such scrutiny and whether there should be further checks on freedom of speech.
With the row erupting out of the entertainment industry, many celebrities have reacted to Allahbadia's comments:
Imtiaz Ali
According to a report by Live Mint, in an interview, director Imtiaz Ali said, "The shortcut to fame comes and goes. I believe that people should do what they enjoy, and obscenity is obviously a bad subject—anyone would say that. But people are immature, so we shouldn't take their mistakes too seriously. (Translated excerpts)"
Manoj Bajpayee
In the same interview, actor Manoj Bajpayee agreed with Ali and added, “That's why those who are succeeding, who are young, always need to observe and understand the environment around them. (Translated excerpts)"
Vir Das
Comedian Vir Das, who himself had been embroiled in controversy over his '2 Indias' statements, without mentioning Allahbadia's incident specifically, discussed good comedy vs good journalism on his Instagram stories.
Das wrote, "The audience is always welcome to debate what good comedy is. A good artist will take their feedback head down, mouth shut, and maybe evolve. Either the way the consequences of your comedy on your career and audience are pretty instant. That's a natural process.
But we are also watching a bunch of irrelevant mainstream media anchors bordering extinction coming together to take down new media that gets millions more views, longer interviews, and far more impact than their bloated studios and fat salary at 1% of the cost. Whether you like the new media or not is irrelevant.
That's ALSO what's happening here. And while the we debate what good comedy is, please debate what good journalism is, and the news that they SHOULD be doing, the questions they SHOULD be asking, and who they should be asking them to."
Mika Singh
Singer Mika Singh posted a video on Instagram about Allahbadia's comments. In his video he said, “I have also seen the episode. It is horrible, filled with such nasty abuses. I am sure he must have a lot of fans. The show must then be for only those who like these content. There should be someone to stop these films. I feel angry when there is a show of a big singer like Diljit Dosanjh, and there people come and pull all kinds of notices on him. Isn't it your responsibility to notice these idiots also? These fools have been talking nonsense for so long. This is your duty too. (Translated excerpts).”
Rakhi Sawant
Actor Rakhi Sawant, on the other hand, called for forgiveness. In a comment on Instagram, she said, "Forgive him yaar. It's okay. Happens sometimes. Forgive him. I know he did wrong but forgive him (sic).