Local comics disprove of Kunal Kamra video

The Mumbai-based comedian uploaded a video of himself mimicking TV anchor Arnab Goswami while they were on an IndiGo flight. The video has received polarising opinions from comedians, media personnel and public alike.

But for humourists in Chennai, the video is an invasion of privacy and a violation of space. According to comedian Karthik Kumar, the video is a violation of rights. “I admire Kunal as a comedian. But this is wrong, irrespective of who’s at the receiving end,” he said.

Kumar said if the incident had occurred on a show, stage, or any other platform, it would not have had negative connotations as consent would have been involved.

For stand-up comedian Shyama Harini, the joke should have been dropped by Kamra the moment he realised that Goswami was not responding favourably. “It is okay to have cracked the joke, but if the other party is not interested, it is only right that he moved away. While insult comedy and roasts are a genre of comedy, a line has to be drawn somewhere,” she said.

For comedian Aaquib Jaleel, any joke that is done with good intent and is mindful of the other person’s space is up for grabs.

“If this is a way of giving Arnab a taste of his own medicine, then there is a problem. He has done to Arnab what he feels Arnab does to everyone else. This is the kind of debauchery that we all oppose,” said Kumar, adding the onus is on Kamra’s fans to tell him when his actions have gone too far.

Four airlines have suspended Kunal from travelling with them.

In a statement on Twitter, Kamra said, “…I did exactly what Republic TV journalists do to people in their private/public spaces, and I don’t regret it. I am not sorry for it. …I don’t think I did anything wrong/criminal…I apologise to every passenger except one.”