Why So Racist? When ‘Tubelight’ Child Actor Shut Down a Journalist

Here’s how Matin Rey Tangu responded to a journalist who asked if this is the first time he was visiting “India”.

Salman Khan introduced his little co-star, Matin Rey Tangu from Tubelight at a press conference held on Monday in Mumbai.

Charming and spontaneous, Matin, who hails from Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh (AP) effortlessly stole the limelight from Salman at the presser and had the audience in splits with his responses.

Also Read: ‘Tubelight’ On: When Matin Rey Tangu Kept Salman Khan in Splits

Asked to share anecdotes about the 51-year-old superstar, the kid said, “One day he took off his shoes and jumped into the swimming pool.” He then turned to Salman and said, “now you say something about me.”

Along with entertaining the audience, Matin also deftly handled a tricky question which could easily be termed as racist and ignorant. A reporter at the press con made an embarrassing gaffe when he asked Matin if this is the first time he is visiting “India”, assuming he is from China.

Realising the goof-up, she changed her question and asked, “Is it your first time in Mumbai?” But Salman, who heard the question the first time around repeated, “She is asking, if you have come to India for the first time?”

Matin quickly recovered from the question and countered, “India? Hum India per hi baithta hai, toh India par aayega hi kaise?” (I live in India. How will I 'come' to India?)

Tubelight is set against the backdrop of the Indo-China war of 1962. It also stars Chinese actress, Zhu Zhu. From the trailer and buzz so far, it appears that Zhu Zhu might be playing Matin’s mother in Tubelight.

But the slip-up by the reporter lays bare India’s ignorance towards the north-east state and its people, who are often subjected to racial slurs in the country.

And more so, with China claiming Arunachal Pradesh as a “disputed region on the border”, this gaffe by the journalist is particularly glaring.

Despite claims by China, Arunachal Pradesh is very much a part of India. Next time, get a little more background about the actors in a film before you ask them a question concerning their nationality, maybe?