Sony Entertainment Television as a network seems to be quite accommodative of public sentiments. The channel has reportedly decided to remove cricketer turned politician Navjot Singh Sidhu from its highly popular The Kapil Sharma Show. The latter had recently made a statement on the Pulwama terror killing of 40 CRPF jawans. While condoning the attack, he had asked whether action of few individuals should merit an attack on an entire nation (Pakistan).
This did not go down well in the current swell of anti-Pakistani sentiments raging across the country, and many angry netizens demanded that Sony remove him from The Kapil Sharma show where he presides as judge. Just how strong the current anger toward losing many brave hearts in a single attack could be gauged by the fact that it became a global trend within hours. Angry fans threatened not only to boycott this top ranking show, but also the entire channel.
Understanding the gravity of the situation, channel top brass has apparently moved with quick haste to control the fall out and have decided to replace Mr Sidhu with a new judge. It is in talks with the producer to find a replacement.
This is not the first time that Sony has bowed to the prevailing public sentiment. Just a while back it had fired Indian Idol judge Annu Malik over #metoo allegations. Prior to that it had quickly shut shop on Pehredaar Piya Ki where a young boy (Afan Khan) was shown romancing a lady (Tejaswi Prakash Wayangankar).
The irony here is that The Kapil Sharma show always seems to land up in some or other controversy. Its last season was shut down in few episodes due to Kapil’s ill health. He had just made a comeback with huge ratings and now the Sidhu road block seems to have hit the show badly.
Will the prompt decision by the channel end matters and put the show back in safe trajectory?
Only time will tell…
We tried to get in touch with both Kapil Sharma and Sony spokesperson but could not get through to them.
We hope sanctity prevails here…