Mukesh Khanna, widely recognized for his iconic role as Shaktimaan, recently criticized male actors who dress as women on television during a discussion on his YouTube channel. The conversation included actor Ali Asgar, famous for portraying the character ‘Dadi’ on The Kapil Sharma Show. Khanna labeled Asgar’s portrayal as “fuhad” (awkward), prompting Asgar to defend both the show’s creators and his casting as the grandmother.
On August 3, 2024, Mukesh Khanna took to his official X (formerly Twitter) account to express his dislike for men dressing as women for comedic or theatrical performances. Sharing a link to their chat, Khanna wrote:
“Mujhe pasand naheen ki mard auraton ke kapde pahan kar naache ya nautanki kare. Par ek show hai jiska naam naheen loonga usme comedy ke naam par yahi dhadhale se hota hai. Par mere show ke madhyam se is par kaafi prakash pada. Kaafi jankari mili. Prakashit karne wale talented actor Ali Asgar ji, jinhone bachav kiya is Situations ka. Bahas chali. Aap bhi janiyee kya bole wo apne dada ki jagah dadi banne par.”
In the video, Mukesh Khanna questions Ali Asgar about his role as ‘Dadi’ instead of ‘Dada’ on the show, asking whether this is a significant issue or if he is overreacting.
Ali Asgar’s Defense of His Role
Responding to Khanna’s question, Ali Asgar explained, “That is your way. So I can’t say anything. People always ask why they make a boy into a girl. The reason for it, from my understanding, is that nobody’s dadi (grandmother) will be like me. She wouldn’t be that energetic.”
Asgar elaborated on the demanding shooting schedule of The Kapil Sharma Show, noting that filming often extended late into the night after shooting two episodes during the day. The need for new gags and sponsor integrations added to the hectic pace. He pointed out that casting an elderly actress for the role of Dadi would have been impractical due to the late hours required, given their age.
Mukesh Khanna countered by stating that leading actresses also work late hours. In response, Asgar explained that when a man portrays a woman, the character is not meant to be a true-to-life representation, allowing for greater creative freedom and humor. He emphasized that since the character is a fictional, exaggerated version, it should not cause offense.
Insights into The Kapil Sharma Show
Reflecting on his time with the show, Ali Asgar praised Kapil Sharma for his exceptional comedic timing and understanding of the audience. He described the show’s premise as revolving around a glamorous yet humble family, featuring characters like Dadi, two sisters, Gutthi (played by Sunil Grover), a servant, and a wife. Despite their modest means, the family portrayed themselves as underdogs, often humorously mocking themselves before others.
Asgar commended Kapil for his uncanny ability to predict which jokes would resonate with the audience, noting that his insights during live shows were consistently accurate. He attributed much of the show’s success to Kapil’s innate comedic talent and deep understanding of audience preferences.
Ali Asgar’s defense of his characters underscores the creative liberties taken in comedy to entertain audiences, reminding viewers that the intent is to amuse rather than offend. His reflections on the challenging yet rewarding experience highlight the dedication and skill involved in bringing such beloved characters to life.