Russell Peters' comments about Aishwarya Rai and Bollywood stir up a shitstorm

    1 of 1 2 of 1

      What's the fastest way to get the whole Indian subcontinent (and the entire South Asian diaspora) against you? Why, simply take a page out of Russell Peters' book (which is probably called How to Win Friends and Influence People) and insult the most beautiful woman in the world. Not to mention the industry she works in too, for good measure.

      Something was lost in translation when the Canadian comedian made scathing comments about both the Bollywood film industry and superstar Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan. Peters was in India to promote the Indo-Canadian hockey film Speedy Singhs (released as Breakaway in Canada). Unfortunately, no one was laughing in India after hearing what he had to say.

      "I hate Bollywood," he is reported to have said of the Hindi-language film industry. "The movies are all garbage, just terrible. It's my opinion, obviously there are billions who like and love them. I don't like all the singing, dancing and all the dramatic crying. I have never seen a Bollywood film in my life. I have refused doing it earlier and will do so in future. But I hope some filmmakers take a chance of making real movies."

      He went on to take jabs at one of the industry's biggest stars. “Aishwarya is the biggest example of bad acting," he reportedly said. "She has proved it time and time again that in Bollywood, people can become superstars just by having a pretty face.”

      But no, he didn't stop there. He continued on, even implicating her husband, Abhishek Bachchan, son of Bollywood megastars Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bhaduri. "She hasn’t become a better actor. She is still good looking, isn’t that good enough? Good job, Abhishek, you finally knocked her up.”

      Filmie fans, women's rights activists, and industry figures have all spoken out against his remarks and demanded an apology from him.

      Box-office heavyweight Akshay Kumar, who coproduced Breakaway and has a cameo in it, has reportedly apologized to Abhishek for Peters' comments. (Kumar owns a home in Toronto and recently starred in the Canadian-set Bollywood film Thank You.)

      Your move, Peters.

       

      You can follow Craig Takeuchi on Twitter at twitter.com/cinecraig.

      Comments

      37 Comments

      Taxpayers R Us

      Oct 8, 2011 at 12:06am

      It's comedy. It's meant to offend, that's one of the things that make people laugh.

      If you take it too seriously, you should change the channel instead of watching it when you know full well you're a goddamn pussy.

      Deal with it in India.

      whocaresdfd

      Oct 8, 2011 at 1:17am

      tmz garbage i couldn't give a toss about

      the only crime here is as a comedian he failed to bring the lulz and simply wrote some bitterness. any idiot can do that

      Cesar

      Oct 8, 2011 at 5:27am

      Ya know, every movie on the planet doesn't have to be The Seventh Seal or Bicycle Thief, but Bollywood just can't make a film that isn't sooooo freakin' hokey. And why all the dancing? And why do all the women sing through their noses? I'm with Peters on this one.

      Jaswinder

      Oct 8, 2011 at 6:39am

      Why would someone with a face like Russell Peters have the audacity to make such dumb statements, especially when he’s just proven his lacklustre acting skills in the dim-witted movie “Breakaway”? I saw this movie and I thought it was just terrible.

      Russell Peters has gone public with the fact that he has ADHD. I'm sure he doesn't take his stimulant medication when he's 'performing/promoting' because being a provocateur is usually good for business and bringing him attention. Well, this might work back home in Canada but Russell has just revealed his ignorance of Indian culture.

      I've noticed that most successful comedians these days have the tell-tale signs of ADHD, especially with an inability to control their impulses with what they say. In normal life this can be very problematic, especially in intimate/personal relationships, but in the North American stage where raunchy comedians are found – it’s rewarded – and those with ADHD are drawn to this stage like a magnet.

      laila

      Oct 8, 2011 at 8:28am

      what if he was in the U.S and said Hollywood sucked and Angelina Jolie can't act? People would think he's nuts and he probably wouldn't be so popular there anymore. That's exactly what he did in India. He needs to realize that in different parts of the world there are rules as to what you can and cannot say. He has been to many Arab countries he's not going to say Islam sucks or he'll be killed. What I find so shocking is that he made this comment about Rai even though he said it himself that he does not watch Bollywood movies. My question is how does he know she can't act if he doesn't watch her movies or any Bollywood movies for that matter? I think he's just bitter because people in Bollywood are ridiculously good looking & he's not. I also think it was dumb of Russell to make those comments while out promoting his film. I'm pretty sure that will effect his film, I doubt anyone would go see that movie now. And don't get me wrong I'm all for freedom of speech, but I think it has it's limits. Why would you use that right to hurt someone? Telling someone they can't act after all these years is mean.He also called Amir Khan a d*ckhead,but that's not reported. I'm sure Russell can't act either he's a comedian & should stick to that.

      Gentleman Jack

      Oct 8, 2011 at 9:56am

      "I've noticed that most successful comedians these days have the tell-tale signs of ADHD, especially with an inability to control their impulses with what they say. "

      Control their impulses? Wow. You're an orwellian, aren't you?
      LIBERTY ABOVE ALL THINGS

      How about you learn to control your impulse for speech-control?

      miguel

      Oct 8, 2011 at 10:51am

      Hollywood style is the last thing you want to emulate, and Indian society is confident enough in itself to just make films to suit themselves. If singing and dancing didn't sell, it wouldn't exist. Has Broadway banned it?
      Miguel

      DsHK

      Oct 8, 2011 at 12:13pm

      I love how he says he's never seen a Bollywood film in his life. But he hates everything about them. Excellent.

      Peters has made millions poking fun at his own culture and people but looks like he crossed the line by slamming Bollywood with such ferocity. Who cares?

      H Singh

      Oct 8, 2011 at 2:07pm

      Russell Peters is a coconut if I've ever seen one and I've always suspected that he's racist against Indians. Indians line up to go watch him and pay good money while he trashes them. Meanwhile he becomes a millionaire. He gets away with murder because he's brown. It'd all be funny if it wasn't so stupid.

      knocked up

      Oct 8, 2011 at 6:47pm

      as per wikipedia http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?hl=en&rlz=1R2SKPB_enCA382&g...

      "Personal life: Peters proposed to girlfriend Monica Diaz García on July 10, 2010, at the Los Angeles International Airport. He announced the engagement via Twitter.[22][23] The couple married on August 20, 2010 at A Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas. The wedding was attended by about 20 guests, including an Elvis impersonator. Peters and Diaz had their first child, a girl, who was due to be born on February 23, 2011. When announcing the pregnancy, Peters told The Canadian Press, "Did I get married because she was knocked up? I would say that expedited it." His daughter was born two and a half months early,on December 14, 2010, but was healthy as Peters stated on his Twitter. She was given the name Crystianna Marie Peters"