A complaint has been lodged against Bollywood filmmaker and choreographer Farah Khan for reportedly referring to the festival of Holi as “a festival for the chhapris,” a term considered derogatory and casteist. The FIR was registered at the Khar Police Station by Vikash Fhatak, widely known as Hindustani Bhau, following comments made by Khan during an episode of “Celebrity MasterChef” aired on February 20.
According to a statement by Fhatak’s lawyer, Ali Kaashif Khan Deshmukh, to ABP News, “The comment made by Ms. Khan has deeply hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus. Labeling such a significant and sacred festival in such a derogatory way is not only inappropriate but could also stir communal discord.” The legal advocate emphasized that the use of the term “chhapris” in describing Holi was unacceptable and urged legal actions against Khan under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including sections 196, 299, 302, and 353, which concern the offense of insulting religious sentiments among others.
Farah Khan, known for her contributions to Bollywood as a choreographer for several iconic songs and as a director of popular films such as “Main Hoon Na” and “Om Shanti Om,” has not yet responded to the allegations. She is currently serving as a judge on the cooking show alongside fellow chefs Vikas Khanna and Ranveer Brar.
The issue has sparked considerable attention, highlighting the sensitivity surrounding religious festivals and the impact of celebrity comments on public sentiment. Legal experts suggest that the outcome of this case could set a significant precedent for how religious sentiments are treated in public discourse in India’s entertainment industry.
