Comics stand up for Tanmay Bhat after politicos demand his arrest over video

Mumbai Police initiated an inquiry against AIB comedian Tanmay Bhat after he sparked a furore with a video taking jibes against 86-year-old melody queen Lata Mangeshkar and cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar (43). Cops have also asked Facebook and YouTube to block the video, which was originally posted by Tanmay on his personal Snapchat account.

Also read: All you need to know about the controversy stoked by Tanmay Bhat's video

Tanmay Bhat

Titled ‘Sachin v/s Lata Civil War', the video shows a mock argument between Sachin and Lata using the face-swap feature on Snapchat. In the video, Lata appears to say that Virat Kohli is better than Sachin, while he shoots back that she is 5,000 years old and looks like someone kept her underwater for eight days.

Also read: Bollywood lashes out at AIB's Tanmay Bhat for video 'insulting' Lata, Sachin

The controversial video was initially uploaded on Tanmay Bhat's Snapchat and shows a ‘face-swapped' Lata Mangeshkar and Sachin Tendulkar throwing shade at each other

Actors Anupam Kher, Riteish Deshmukh and Celina Jaitly had yesterday criticised Bhat for roasting Tendulkar and Mangeshkar, calling the video "not funny".

Also read: Tanmay Bhat's 'statement' on his controversial video mocking Lata, Sachin is just not funny

The police stepped in after Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shelar complained to Commissioner Datta Padsalgikar. The Shiv Sena and MNS also demanded action against both Tanmay and AIB. DCP (Operations) Sangram-singh Nishandar said a complaint has been made by MNS at the Shivaji Park police station, but no FIR has been registered so far. The DCP added that the police had a transcript of the video and would now seek legal opinion before taking further action.

Tanmay says
Tanmay later issued a statement, asking viewers who liked the video to email their views to him and state what they liked about it. The comedian also hit back at some of his detractors in tweets that were later deleted. He also tweeted, "Roast wale din yaad aa gaye by god," harking back to the controversy over the AIB Knockout - a roast comedy show held last January.

Comedians say

Sorabh Pant
I'm bored of the controversy already. Personally I don't think the video was funny, but Tanmay has the right to present whatever joke he likes.

Also read: MNS to file FIR against Tanmay Bhat; demand his arrest for video mocking Lata, Sachin

People are waiting to get offended these days. Some time ago, EIC had done a video where we tried to present a balanced opinion of the Kanhaiya Kumar case. I saw multiple posts calling me anti-national. Many stand-up comics like Varun Grover and East India Comedy (EIC) have donated to causes like drought relief. This is simply overlooked.

Anuvab Pal
Don't send us to jail. How much time do people have these days? A comic's personal Snapchat post is national news? It's his opinion, just like everyone who doesn't support it has their own opinion. Is this really a criminal offence?

Like stealing or killing? Tomorrow even Shakti Kapoor's fans will say you can't make fun of him. Celebrity comedians have to be more careful but you can't these days. With every video or post you are bound to offend someone.

Also read: Twitterati 'roast' Tanmay Bhat for 'mocking' Sachin, Lata Mangeshkar

Every news channel has called today. The producer of one asked me: Are you for Tanmay or for Maharashtra? Is that even a real choice?

Politicians say

Ashish Shelar, BJP Mumbai chief
For the record, I have filed a complaint to Commissioner of Police Padsalgikar against comedian Tanmay Bhat and asked for an FIR for insulting Sachin Tendulkar and Lataji

Ameya Khopkar, MNS Chitrapat Sena President
The video by Tanmay Bhat making fun of Lata Mangeshkar and Sachin Tendulkar is unacceptable to MNS. Hence, we want the police to register a complaint against him. I also submitted a complaint at the Shivaji Park police station.

Aaditya Thackeray, on twitter Yuva Sena leader
Happened to watch a part of a desperate and shameful attempt to be funny by a wannabe comedian on Sachin Tendulkar and Lata Mangeshkar. I don't comment on such issues but ashamed that sometimes we celebrate below-mediocrity of desperate attempts, far from talent and mimicry. Having said that, I obviously love mimicry, cartoons, caricatures, imitations! Only wish script was a little better to suit their persona and stature

- Inputs from Agencies