Twinkle Khanna comes to rescue of Akshay Kumar on The Great Indian Laughter Challenge controversy

Akshay Kumar was mired into controversy for his response to Mallika Dua on The Great Laughter Challenge.

It seems our tolerance towards seeing crass level jokes on television and films is being tested at every passing level. Something similar happened during The Great Indian Laughter Challenge between Mallika Dua and Akshay Kumar. The actor during a moment told the laughter queen, “Mallika ji aap bell bajaaiye, main aapko bajaata hoon”, which went on to be objected by Vinod Dua and Mallika, turning the moment into a controversy about sexism. While Akshay has not yet spoken about it, Twinkle Khanna has come in support of her husband and said, “Humour has to be seen in right context.”

In a note that she posted on Twitter, Twinkle wrote, “I would like to address the controversy on the sets of The Laughter Challenge. The show has a bell which the judges ring after a contestant’s exceptional performance and when Ms. Dua went forward to ring the bell, Mr Kumar said, “Mallika Ji aap bell bajao main aapko bajata hun” A pun on the words and actions related to ringing the bell. It’s a colloquial phrase that both men and women use – for instance, “I am going to bajao him/her” or “I got bajaoed”, Red FM even has a tagline ‘Bajatey Rao’ all without sexist connotations. Mr Vinod Dua, Ms Dua’s father, had written a post – it’s been taken down now, stating, “I am going to screw this cretin Akshay Kumar.” Should Mr Dua’s statement also be taken literally or interpreted in context?

Words, especially humour has to be seen in its right context. I have always stood up for freedom within comedy including defending AIB’s infamous roast on numerous occasions in the past and that is my stance even today. So kindly stop tagging me in this debate.”

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— Twinkle Khanna (@mrsfunnybones) October 29, 2017

Akshay is a Super Judge on the show, which airs on Star Plus on the weekends.