MUMBAI: The roast of actors Ranveer Singh and Arjun Kapoor, hosted by comedy group AIB, isn't available for online viewing any more. But there's new trouble for the organisers.
Here are the 10 latest developments in this controversy:
- Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said that if the event, which was held in a Mumbai stadium in December, is found to have violated any laws, strict action will follow.
- A state government board that assigns permits for live events and decides on the suitability of the content allegedly plans to ask the Mumbai Police to investigate the AIB roast.
- The board alleges that the letter that sought a permit withheld crucial information about what the event would involve and referred only broadly to a comedy event.
- AIB - which is made up of four comedians - tweeted last night that the early 90-minute long roast had been deleted from YouTube.
- The government has been criticised for moral policing by many who say it is using technicalities for illegitimate censorship.
- The roast was attended by 4,000 people including Bollywood A-listers. Its reviews were not all positive - some found the jokes were in poor taste, and too expletive-heavy, but many said that's the point of a roast.
- Censor Board member Ashok Pandite added a new installment to the controversy yesterday with a crude tweet about director Karan Johar, who served as Roast-Master Mr Pandite said he agreed with those who feel AIB was "porn."
- Karan Johar, in an apparent response to Mr Pandite, tweeted, "Not your cup of tea...don't drink it!!!"
- Cultural Affairs Minister Vinod Tawde had originally said an inquiry would determine if the event violated public decency laws, but later said any probe would focus on licenses and clearances.
- At least two police cases have been filed against the event, alleging that it violated religious sentiments.
- February 04, 2015 14:49 IST