Kapil Sharma has recently encountered significant criticism for allegedly making a joke regarding filmmaker Atlee's appearance during his comedy show, The Great Indian Kapil Show. The comedian has expressed his unwillingness to accept this backlash and has urged viewers to watch the entire episode before forming any judgments.

The comment

In the episode aired on Saturday, Atlee appeared alongside actors Varun Dhawan, Keerthy Suresh, and Wamiqa Gabbi from the film Baby John. During one segment, Kapil posed a question to Atlee: “When you meet a star for the first time, do they inquire, where is Atlee?”

Atlee's response was thoughtful: “I understood your question in a way. I am grateful to AR Murugadoss sir for producing my first film. He requested a script without considering my appearance or capabilities. He appreciated my narration, which I believe is what truly matters. We should not judge based on looks; rather, we should evaluate with our hearts.”

This remark did not resonate well with numerous social media users, who deemed it offensive and labeled it as a racist comment.

Kapil reacts

On Tuesday, Kapil addressed the ongoing controversy via X, previously known as Twitter. He shared a tweet that highlighted the situation, stating, “Kapil Sharma subtly insults Atlee's looks? Atlee responds like a boss: Don't judge by appearance, judge by the heart.” The tweet included a clip of their exchange from the show.

In his response, Kapil wrote, “Dear sir, could you please clarify when and where I commented on looks in this video? Please refrain from spreading negativity on social media (folded hand emoji) thank you. (Everyone, watch and decide for yourselves; do not follow anyone's tweet blindly).”

This marks Kapil's first public reaction to the criticism he has faced regarding the joke.

What were the fans saying

Following the release of the episode on Netflix on Saturday, social media platforms became a battleground for various users who voiced their dissatisfaction regarding a particular joke.

One user commented, "Perhaps his intention was not malicious, but he should have articulated the question in a far more appropriate manner. Ultimately, he is known for body shaming, so this reaction is not unexpected." Another user added, "Kapil Sharma might be a decent individual otherwise, yet he consistently makes jokes that are racist, sexist, body-shaming, and homophobic on his show. His thoughtless question to Atlee highlights the obsession with fair skin prevalent among North Indians."

Singer Chinmayi Sripaada also weighed in, stating, "Will they ever cease these crude and racist remarks about his skin color under the guise of ‘comedy’? It is disheartening and, regrettably, not surprising to hear someone as influential as Kapil Sharma make such comments."

Atlee has not yet addressed the controversy.

Read Also: Kapil Sharma Responds to Controversy After Joking About Atlee: 'You Be the Judge'