Director Atlee’s Graceful Reply to Kapil Sharma’s Offensive Joke

During a recent episode of The Great Indian Kapil Show, acclaimed director Atlee appeared alongside actors Varun Dhawan and Keerthy Suresh to promote their film Baby John, a remake of Atlee’s hit movie Theri starring Vijay. The event took a controversial turn when host Kapil Sharma made a racially insensitive comment directed at Atlee.

Kapil Sharma indirectly referenced Atlee's skin color by asking, “Has anyone ever questioned where you’re from when you met a star hero for the first time?” This remark was perceived as offensive, sparking widespread criticism.

Responding with composure, Atlee recalled his first meeting with renowned director A.R. Murugadoss. He expressed gratitude toward Murugadoss for producing his debut film Raja Rani, noting that Murugadoss never judged him by his appearance but focused solely on his storytelling skills and creative vision.

Atlee emphasized that people should be assessed by their character and talent, not by their looks—a clear and dignified counter to Kapil’s comment. Kapil Sharma attempted to diffuse the situation with a laugh but faced backlash after the episode aired.

Social media users criticized Kapil for his inappropriate remark, calling out the show for promoting offensive humor under the guise of comedy. Many urged the show’s creators to adopt more respectful content standards.