My views on AIB

Recently, much hue and cry was raised on the All India bakchod(AIB)-an ‘insult comedy’ show which went viral on the internet. A section of the star celebrities came out in support of the show citing the need to express one’s opinion freely. On the other hand, there were sharp criticisms against the show, including voices from within the film fraternity. So the moot point is: Where is the red line drawn?

There is no denying that as the civilization progresses from barbarism to intellectualism, freedom of expression and tolerance become the driving force in the transitional phase. Satire and humour becomes a potent tool of journalism with entertainment an embedded component in it. However, the underlying principle of satirical attack on others should be to bring about a positive change in the individual in particular ,and society in general. The AIB show was a ‘insult comedy’ without a sense of purpose focusing on trivial issues like sexual orientation and below-the-belt remarks.

In India, the film actors and the cricketers are treated as demi-gods. That said, the youngsters look up to the celebrities as their ‘style-icon’ and in many cases, as role models. Therefore, when these celebrities resort to vulgarity and obscenity as a medium of unconditional satire, it amounts to betrayal of the public trust reposed on them. Satire should be premised on not just liberty, but fraternity and equality.

Therefore, a culture that includes the freedom to offend others also needs to understand others. The challenge therefore is to strike a fine balance between freedom of expression and respecting the collective sensibilities. There is an old adage that mentions “Your liberty ends, where my nose begins”.Therefore,freedom of expression is not an absolute right. Creativity comes with responsibility. Satire should take on the bastions of privilege and arrogance, not on soft targets based on skin colour, sexual orientation or mocking religious heads in derogatory manner.