Row over Tagore's Ekla Cholo Re: Krushna Abhishek reacts after Srijato objects

KOLKATA: Poet-lyricist Srijato has threatened legal proceedings against the makers of "The Great Indian Kapil Show" for "denigrating" Tagore's "Ekla Cholo Re". Srijato alleged on social media that Kapil's assistant comedian, Krushna Abhishek, ridiculed the song in a manner that transgressed the boundaries of propriety. The actor told TOI that he has no intentions of hurting anyone.
Many, including director Suman Ghosh and actors Suman Mukherjee, Debapratim Dasgupta, and Poulomi Bose, have supported Srijato's stance. Srijato told TOI that he is hurt both as a Bengali and a writer. He demanded an apology and requested that the segment of the episode be re-edited within seven days. Failing which, he will initiate legal proceedings, he said.
"In the episode featuring guests Kajol and Kriti Sanon, Kapil's associate comedian Krushna Abhishek emerged and opted to ridicule a song by Rabindranath Tagore, presumably because Kajol has Bengali ancestry. This was not an impromptu performance; it was deliberately scripted. I shall refrain from elaborating on the precise occurrences, but Krushna Abhishek's derisive gestures and commentary about the song 'Ekla Cholo Re' transgressed all boundaries of reverence and propriety," Srijato said.
In the episode, the performer addressed Kajol, stating, "I never go alone." To which, Kapil rectified him, saying: 'Ekla Cholo Re'. But Abhishek retorted, saying, "In life, walk in a group of five. Don't walk alone. One day I was walking in a lane and was surrounded by five dogs. I know how I safeguarded myself that day... I always advocate walking with two, three, or five people."
Warning of legal action, Srijato said, "I am writing this post after consulting with one of the best lawyers on the subject. I was told that I can always take action as a member of the community. Tagore is huge. I am hurt as a member of the Bengali community and the writers' community. If my demands are not accepted, considered, and fulfilled by November 7, I will take legal action. I will do so as a wordsmith of the Bengali language."
On being asked if he was being hypersensitive to slapstick, Srijato said, "This is not just about Tagore. You can't do that with anyone. You do whatever you like to make people laugh. Clowns do so many antics to make people laugh. Just don't malign. Can any show invite Javed Akhtar to a show and insult Ghalib? I don't think that is possible. We Bengalis have forever let go if there is an insult. Being a representative from Bengali, Kajol too could have not agreed to the script. I wouldn't agree to it. These show makers need to be given a reminder that there is a thin line that can't be crossed."
When TOI got in touch with Abhishek about this issue, he responded from Los Angeles saying: "I or my team members have no intentions of hurting anyone. We perform just to entertain and not to hurt. I will talk to the creative team and see to what can be done."