Stand up comic Tanmay Bhat’s video making fun of two of Maharashtra’s best known legends Sachin Tendulkar and Lata Mangeshkar kicked up a political and social storm on Sunday with leaders from Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) demanding immediate action against him even as those from the film industry criticised Mr Bhat for “insulting” the diva of Indian film music and the master blaster.
Titled ‘Sachin v/s Lata Civil War’, Mr. Bhat is seen taking jibes at the singer and the cricketing legend and the video is laced with derogatory references to both.
Senior Shiv Sena leader and member of Parliament Sanjay Raut demanded strict action against the AIB group member and said such people should not even get bail. “Making fun of legends in such an insulting manner is a crime under cyber laws. It is the duty of the government to take action immediately. We demand that this person should not even get bail,” said Mr. Raut.
The NCP was also quick in reacting to the video and demanding action. “The government must voluntarily take action against the likes of Tanmay Bhat who make derogatory comments against Bharat Ratnas,” tweeted Dhananjay Munde, leader of the Opposition in the state council. He reminded the government that it was he who had sought action against the All India Bakchod after the group’s roast video.
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) too jumped into the fray, threatening Mr. Bhat and calling him “a disgusting person”.
“He has made a pathetic video on two Bharat Ratnas. MNS will not tolerate such stupidity in the name of freedom of speech,” said the party’s cine wing president Ameya Khopkar.
Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit, who is also member of the Central Board for Film Certification, said when Mr Bhat made fun of actors Farida Jalal and Rema Lagoo, many defended it as “freedom of expression”.
“Because he was encouraged, he went on to make fun of Lata Mangeshkar. I am not surprised or shocked. I knew this was going to come. Besides, it is not just about respecting only legends. This should not happen to any common man,” he said, adding if action is not taken he will take on more people, which should not be allowed.
Other celebrities too took to Twitter and said Mr Bhat’s video was both disgusting and disrespectful. Actor Anupam Kher posted on Twitter that he had won awards for best comic actor nine times and had a great sense of humour, but Mr. Bhat’s video, he said, wasn’t humour.
“Am absolutely shocked. Disrespect is not cool and neither is it funny,” tweeted actor Riteish Deshmukh. Actor Celina Jaitly too wrote that she was appalled at the video and that Mr Bhat should apologise immediately.
Tanmay Bhat’s video makes fun of two of legends Sachin Tendulkar and Lata Mangeshkar
