"The tone has gone too far this time"
Indian poet-filmmaker Srijato Bandyopadhyay expressed outrage on social media regarding the perceived disrespectful portrayal of Rabindranath Tagore on Kapil Sharma’s show.
He pointed out an episode of The Great Indian Kapil Show.
The episode also featured Kajol and Kriti Sanon, who appeared to promote their Netflix film Do Patti.
During the show, comedian Krushna Abhishek allegedly misrepresented Tagore’s iconic song ‘Ekla Cholo Re’, which Srijato claimed was a blatant mockery.
He said: “Perhaps due to Kajol’s Bengali roots, they chose a Tagore song to mock.
“It wasn’t a random choice; the script had to have been crafted a certain way.”
Srijato, who has experience hosting television shows, suggested that the way Krushna gestured and spoke about the song crossed the boundaries of respect.
He emphasised that in the pursuit of humour and high ratings, creators often forget the cultural significance of the material they are using.
He asserted that writers and producers should be held accountable for their content decisions.
Srijato added: “The tone has gone too far this time, so I feel compelled to write this.”
With The Great Indian Kapil Show transitioning to Netflix and gaining international popularity, Srijato pointed out the show’s reach.
He explained that the show likely involves a dedicated team crafting its scripts.
Srijato declared his intention to formally lodge a complaint against the segment.
He claimed he would hold everyone involved in its creation responsible for what he deems an offensive portrayal.
Highlighting a recurring trend, Srijato noted a perceived insensitivity toward Bengali culture among some Indian comedians.
He argued that this pattern reflects a broader tendency within the entertainment industry to trivialise Bengali heritage.
Srijato added:
“Everything from the Bengali language to its culture is seen as fodder for them.”
He mentioned incidents where figures like Amogh Lila Das have faced backlash for mocking Bengali thinkers, only to later issue apologies.
In his concluding remarks, Srijato revealed that he consulted with a leading lawyer in the field.
The poet revealed that he wants his concerns to be addressed by November 7, 2024.
If not, he indicated he would pursue legal action against the show’s creators.
Srijato Bandyopadhyay’s stance is a call for greater respect and awareness in the representation of cultural icons, emphasising the need for sensitivity.
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