Tanmay Bhat Vs. Bollywood

Tanmay Bhat’s video has caused a serious stir in the film industry and among millions in the country. My sympathies to all those whose sentiments were hurt, among whom are Sachin Tendulkar , Lata Didi, their fans , members of the film and music and those with time on their hands. My twitter notifications were lit up with tweets dissing Tanmay and those expressing solace towards those who were disrespected.

What followed was, Maharashtra Navniram Sena’s Raj Thackeray threatening to lodge an FIR against Bhat and ordering him to take down the video. The video in which Bhat posed as Tendulkar and Didi discussing Virat Kohli, comically speaking, was neither funny nor engaging and was a total waste of time. But the response it got sure did tickle my funny bone. Who do these politicians and celebrities, who were clearly just flattering, think they are?!?!? Freedom of speech does not mean you force your opinion on the masses. And mind you, that is not what comedians are doing. Their content is viewed only by those who wish to watch it whereas these celebrities’ tweets were splashed across the newspaper for everyone to read. Honestly speaking, MNS’s statement is what offended me.

You see, recently our honourable Chief Justice cried on National Television and expressed his frustration about how there aren’t enough judges and way too many cases, many of which are utterly ridiculous. In such a situation where the judiciary is already suffering, is there a need to file more ridiculous cases? I mean, I was offended by how my neighbour likes to listen to Prem Ratan Dhan Payo on his speakers fifty times a day but that doesn’t mean I’ll file a case against him. Even though that shit is the most offending thing ever!

We all know what would happen if the case would’ve been filed, it would become a priority because of the big deal media has made out of it and because of the involvement of richer people and celebrities. Other cases of actual importance such as the case against the BJP member harassing a 13yr old or any of the pending rape cases would be put on the back burner. Currently the Judiciary is the only body in the country which is actively trying to change the sad state of the country. Bollywood’s opinions and whether they were offended shouldn’t be our priority. I think it’s time we accepted the fact that we are a democracy and the largest democracy in the world needn’t let Bollywood’s offences affect it because it has plenty of relevant ones to worry its minds.