Humour Has to Be Seen in Right Context: Twinkle on Akshay’s Remark

Twinkle Khanna responds to Akshay Kumar’s “bajao” comment to Mallika Dua on The Great Indian Laughter Challenge.

Twinkle Khanna, who has so far been silent in the Akshay Kumar and Mallika Dua controversy, has finally spoken her mind.

Akshay Kumar’s comment on The Great Indian Laughter Challenge did not sit well with his co-judge, Mallika Dua, or her father, Vinod Dua. Mallika wrote about how the comment, “Mallikaji, aap bell bajao, main aapko bajata hoon” made her uncomfortable. But, columnist and author, Twinkle Khanna felt like the comment needed to be taken in the “right context”.

Here’s what she said:

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.

Twinkle Khanna, Author and Columnist

Also Read: “This Is Much Bigger Than Akshay”: Mallika Dua to The Quint

For someone who is constantly taking digs at Bollywood biggies and their patriarchal mindsets, this comment sounds an awful lot like a cop-out on Twinkle Khanna’s part.

Also Read: Vinod Dua Stands by His FB Post On Akshay Kumar, Tweets Mallika

pic.twitter.com/l2fbyaLroh

— Twinkle Khanna (@mrsfunnybones) October 29, 2017

“Expected Better From You”, Says Twitter

Twitter too was not very happy with Twinkle Khanna’s response. Tweets pointed out that the “writing and choice of words” used in the post differed from her columns, to others saying that they “expected better” from Twinkle.

Here are some of the reactions to Twinkle’s post.

Sory,expcted a better respnse frm u.d context in whch Akshay used d wrd "bajata hoon",clearly reflects a sexist comment.he sud hv apologised

— Gaurav Vats (@gaurav_vats3) October 29, 2017

Bt you've also written about calling sm1 hot in the office as not cool. Would u now say that it was ok because it could hv been in context?

— Smriti Shalini (@dentist_chick) October 29, 2017

Strangely, the writing style and use of words differ in columns you write and in this particular post. Just an observation.

— Kumar Manish (@kumarmanish9) October 29, 2017

it could be interpreted either way but an apology wouldn't cost and would be appropriate!

— Rajini (@rajinitp) October 29, 2017

Wow, coming from the same person who had said calling a girl 'hot' in an office is offensive and part of sexual harrasment. Lame

— Mukti Masih (@JustMukti) October 29, 2017

That's truly disappointing coming from you. Seedha bol do I'll be biased towards my husband instead of trying to sound logical and righteous

— Rohit Manchanda (@boisterous09) October 29, 2017

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