Indian Idol, the hunt for India’s next superstar singer is currently on its eleventh leg. While the auditions for Indian Idol, Season 11 have concluded and the judges have already shortlisted the top 30 contestants who would be competing this year, a video clip from a recent episode surfaced online. In the video, Neha Kakkar (judge on the show) was seen being forcibly kissed by a contestant without consent. Needless to say, the audience, fans and viewers of the show had some serious issues with what happened. Twitterati was full of bashful comments with viewers calling out the show and the channel for using this episode to gain TRPs.
So what really happened?
During an audition, a contestant who seemed to be a fan of Neha walked up on stage with a few gifts for the singer. He went down on his knees and handed over to her a teddy bear. Neha, overwhelmed by the love decided to give the contestant a hug to show her appreciation and gratitude for the sweet gesture. It was at this moment that the contestant grabbed Neha and decided to give her a kiss on the cheek, forcibly. The audience was quite appalled by this and wanted the makers of the show to take action. Neha herself was taken aback and she seemed visibly uncomfortable. However, no action was taken against the contestant and he was merely escorted off stage. And to make matters worse, the clip then aired online
Times of India
One of the fans tweeted to Vishal Dadlani’s official handle and said that they should have taken strict action against the contestant. Anshuman Rai tweeted “@VishalDadlani sir uss launde ko chamet maarni chahiye thi.. how dare he do such a thing.. I hope he was not let off easily. #IndianIdol11 @SonyTV”
@VishalDadlani sir uss launde ko chamet maarni chahiye thi.. how dare he do such a thing.. I hope he was not let off easily. #IndianIdol11 @SonyTV
— Anshuman Rai (@anshubabu) 20 October 2019
In response to that, Vishal Dadlani said that they did want to call the police but, Neha decided to let him off the hook and give him a second chance. Vishal even said that he believed the guy needed mental help and they would do everything they can to get it for him. Here’s what he said in his response “I suggested that the Police be called, but Neha decided to let the guy off the hook. He definitely needs psychiatric help, and we will try to help him get that if we can”
I suggested that the Police be called, but Neha decided to let the guy off the hook. He definitely needs psychiatric help, and we will try to help him get that, if we can. #IndianIdol11 https://t.co/CiCLy7u787
— VISHAL DADLANI (@VishalDadlani) 20 October 2019
After the incident, Neha who was visibly shaken by what happened moved away from the contestant covering her face. He was then stopped by the host of the show, Aditya Narayan and called out for his misbehaviour. Take a look at the video
Last week, all the contestants dazzled you with their soulful and powerhouse singing but this week is going to be even more mesmerizing. Watch #IndianIdol Sat-Sun at 8 PM. #EkDeshEkAwaaz. @iAmNehaKakkar @The_AnuMalik @VishalDadlani pic.twitter.com/l2yfIfv7X2
— Sony TV (@SonyTV) 17 October 2019
Here’s how Tweeple reacted to Vishal Dadlani’s response:
Ya…seemed weird how it ended..must be a mentally unstable fellow
— CA Bharathy Easwar (@Bse02189763) 20 October 2019
It was a well planned drama to increase the TRP rating. Otherwise they would have handed him to the police. #Indianidol11
— vibin kumar (@m_vibinkumar) 21 October 2019
When a TV channel telecast these types of incidents for TRP, When Sony hires Anu Malik as a Judge of the show , who has been accused of misconduct what kind of message we are sending to people that one can misbehave or assault a woman and get away with it. #indianidol11
— Peace & Unity (@mawal_alka) 21 October 2019
Sir if you were soo much concerned about @iAmNehaKakkar mam than why you all let the clip be released used as an advertisement by the official Sony channel at least you must ask them not to drop their manners to such extent..#shameful
— vaibhav kumar (@9412856) 22 October 2019
@VishalDadlani on one hand you talk of calling the police and on the other hand you telecast the incident repeatedly for TRP. Sheer hypocrisy!
Else, #IndianIdol11 is going in the right direction. The judges have shown maturity and due compassion towards deserving participants.
— Jagat Singh Bisht (@CoolBisht) 21 October 2019
We are outraged by how lightly this was handled, action or no action against the contestant – this video should not have surfaced online. What do you think?
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