Bengali community irked by 'The Great Indian Kapil Show' 'disrespecting' Tagore’s song 'Ekla Cholo Re'

A recent episode of the popular Netflix comedy programme, The Great Indian Kapil Show, has sparked controversy with the Bengali civil society alleging that Krushna Abhishek, one of the comedians in the show, ridiculed and disrespected Rabindranath Tagore’s song, 'Ekla Cholo Re'.

Kajol and Kirti Sanon appeared in the said episode of the show to promote their new Netflix film Do Patti. As part of his sketch referencing the popular Rabindra Sangeet, Krushna in broken Bangla, says to Kajol, “Pachla cholo re.”

Although "Pachla" isn’t a real Bengali word, Krushna intended it to mean “walk with five people.” When Kapil Sharma, the host, pointed out that the song actually encourages walking alone, Krushna quipped that walking solo might attract stray dogs, making everyone laugh.

This part of the episode irked Bengali poet Srijato Bandyopadhyay who took to Facebook to express his disapproval. He accused Krushna of crossing the line of decency and insulting Tagore with his gestures and commentary. He also attacked the backroom staff associated with the scripting of the show and the broadcasters.

Srijato wrote, “There’s a subtle boundary between humour and mockery, and crossing it can be risky. Often, people disregard whom they are joking about, what they are saying, and how far they go—all in a quest to chase high ratings and make people laugh. They forget where to draw the line.”

He even threatened to take legal action against The Great Indian Kapil Show if they didn't issue an official apology within seven days. In response to Srijato, Krushna stated that the show's intention was never to offend anyone. According to the Times of India, the comedian would consult with the show’s creative team to determine the next steps.

However, the controversy continues to simmer with many from the Bengali civil society coming forward to register their protest. Music director Indradip Dasgupta, singer Iman Chakraborty, and director Suman Mukhopadhyay, among others, have voiced their objections.

Bengali nationalist group Bangla Paksha claimed the episode revealed Kapil Sharma and his show’s inherent "hatred for Bengalis”. Founder of the forum Garga Chatterjee said, “Previously also Kapil Sharma’s show ridiculed Bengalis and Bengali women for their ethnicity.”

Chatterjee went on to say that given the historical context of 'Ekla Cholo Re' as a patriotic song written in the backdrop of the then undivided Bengal’s partition in 1905, any disrespect toward the song amounts to disrespecting the entire Bengali community.