As the entire nation is waiting with bated breath for Lok Sabha Elections 2019 results, actor Vivek Oberoi decided to share a meme on exit polls involving Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Salman Khan, Vivek, Abhishek Bachchan and Aaradhya Bachchan. While tweeting it, he would have never imagined that it would land him in trouble. As soon as he shared the meme, netizens started condemning him for taking a jibe at Aishwarya’s past relationships. Bollywood celebs like Sonam Kapoor, Madhur Bhandarkar and many more slammed Vivek for stooping low.
Sonam lashed out at the actor calling him ‘disgusting and classless’. However, he gave her back by saying, “Aap apne filmon mein thoda kam overact karein aur social media pe thoda kam overreact karein.”
Vivek Oberoi speaks on Sonam Kapoor's reaction to his tweet (on exit polls), "...Aap apni filmon mein thoda kam overact karein aur social media pe thoda kam overreact karein. I've been working in women empowerment for 10 yrs now. I don't think this is hurting anyone's sentiments" pic.twitter.com/pOWAwO29N6
— ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2019
Urmila Matondkar and Madhur Bhandarkar also criticized Vivek for sharing the meme.
Disgusting and classless. https://t.co/GUB7K6dAY8
— Sonam K Ahuja (@sonamakapoor) May 20, 2019
Very disgraceful and in extreme bad taste of #VivekOberoi to put up such a disrespectful post. At least show the decency to pull off the post if not apologise to the lady and her little girl.
— Urmila Matondkar (@OfficialUrmila) May 20, 2019
Dear @vivekoberoi, never expected such tweet from u. The trolls may go to any extent and make memes but u as a responsible celebrity should be careful of hurting anyone's dignity. Would request u to apologize and delete the tweet. https://t.co/lfJgWiWphF
— Madhur Bhandarkar (@imbhandarkar) May 20, 2019
The matter became murkier when the National Commission for Women issued a notice to him for his remarks. However, Kangana Ranaut’s sister Rangoli Chandel came to Vivek’s rescue and reacted to it by asking the reason NCW didn’t support the actress and is now focusing on Vivek’s meme.
Fraud @IndiaMeToo & @NCWIndia has caused death f feminism in India, accused working everywhere & roaming freely, chauvinism & gender bias displayed openly & here fr a stupid joke they come crawling like insects as if anybody cares about such a sham NCWI please take a seat https://t.co/h6ezT9zBEl
— Rangoli Chandel (@Rangoli_A) May 20, 2019
I will never forget how they refused to take Kangana’s complaint against a big star, but come to fight for these childish jokes when so many rape and harassment cases are lying unaddressed #Shame
— Rangoli Chandel (@Rangoli_A) May 20, 2019
Much more scary and damaging than feudal and chauvinist men are these women hater women...bhed ki khaal mein bhediye...jealous and bitchy women who have problem with other woman, simply cause they also happen to be a woman, time to be very careful spot such insects & expose them
— Rangoli Chandel (@Rangoli_A) May 20, 2019
Many celebs have come out and spoken on the matter but Aishwarya and Abhishek Bachchan have maintained a dignified silence on it. The actress is currently attending the Cannes Film Festival. In fact, people on social media also requested Abhishek to stand up for his wife. However, it is yet to be seen if Junior Bachchan talks about it in the coming days. Interestingly, Amitabh Bachchan tweeted something just an hour before Vivek’s controversial meme which was a piece of advice for netizens on how to use social media.
T 3170 - Correction :
Social ,
!! ~ ab rjTranslate Tweet
— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) May 20, 2019
If Vivek had read Big B’s words, he might have saved himself from this controversy. Meanwhile, he has not only deleted the tweet but also issued an apology. Check out his tweets below:
Sometimes what appears to be funny and harmless at first glance to one, may not be so to others. I have spent the last 10 years empowering more than 2000 underprivileged girls, I cant even think of being disrespectful to any woman ever.
— Vivek Anand Oberoi (@vivekoberoi) May 21, 2019
Even if one woman is offended by my reply to the meme, it calls for remedial action. Apologies tweet deleted.
— Vivek Anand Oberoi (@vivekoberoi) May 21, 2019
Here in Bollywood, people don’t forget things easily especially if it comes from lesser mortals who have been out of the limelight for some time. We have to wait a little longer to see if Vivek faces any trouble because of this controversy. He will next be seen in PM Narendra Modi biopic. It is all set to hit the screens on May 24.
(Source: Twitter)