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

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:

Twinkle Khanna, Author and ColumnistI 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.

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.