Comedian Defends His Remarks, Urges Fans to Watch Full Episode
Popular comedian Kapil Sharma has addressed the backlash surrounding his remarks to filmmaker Atlee during a recent episode of The Great Indian Kapil Show. Kapil urged viewers to avoid jumping to conclusions and watch the entire episode before forming opinions.
What Happened?
Atlee appeared on the Netflix show alongside Baby John actors Varun Dhawan, Keerthy Suresh, and Wamiqa Gabbi to promote his upcoming film. During one segment, Kapil asked Atlee:
“When you get to meet a star for the first time, do they ask, where is Atlee?”
Atlee’s response struck a chord with many viewers. He replied:
“I’m actually very thankful to AR Murugadoss sir because he produced my first film. He didn’t see how I was looking or whether I was capable or not. He loved my narration. I think the world should see that. We should not judge by appearance. You have to judge by your heart.”
The comment sparked a wave of criticism on social media, with users accusing Kapil of making a racist remark about Atlee’s appearance.
Kapil Sharma Reacts to the Controversy
On Tuesday, Kapil took to X (formerly Twitter) to defend himself. Quoting a post that highlighted Atlee’s response to his question, Kapil wrote:
“Dear sir, can you pls explain me where n when I talked about looks in this video? Pls don’t spread hate on social media (🙏). Guys watch n decide by yourself, don’t follow anybody’s tweet like a sheep.”
This marks Kapil’s first public response to the controversy.
Fans and Public Reactions
The episode’s release sparked mixed reactions, with many expressing disappointment. Some viewers criticized Kapil for allegedly framing his question poorly, calling him out for perpetuating racism, body shaming, and colorism.
- “Maybe his intention wasn’t bad, but he should have framed the question much better,” one user remarked.
- Another added: “Kapil Sharma’s silly question reflects North India’s obsession with fair skin.”
Singer Chinmayi Sripaada also weighed in, stating:
“Will they never stop these crass and racist jibes at his skin color in the name of comedy? Someone with Kapil’s influence saying such things is disappointing, though not surprising.”
What’s Next?
While Kapil has defended his stance, filmmaker Atlee has yet to comment on the matter. The controversy has reignited discussions on the role of comedy, responsible humor, and the challenges of addressing sensitive issues on popular platforms.