Why is that wretched boy walking free after insulting Lataji & Tendulkar: Om Puri

Om Puri is livid at Tanmay Bhat’s spoof-video of Lata Mangeshkar and Sachin Tendulkar, and he wants to know why action is not being taken against the comedian.

“Why is that wretched boy walking free after what he has done? He has insulted two of the most respected and loved icons of the nation. Lataji and Sachin Tendulkar are known all over the world. They have fans not only in India, but in every part of the world. They are idolized by Indians and non-Indians. You can’t do this to such heroes for a few laughs,” says Om.

The veteran actor, who is known to support causes that he believes in, feels Lataji and Sachin’s Bharat Ratna are not the deciding factor of their iconic status. “Even if they had not received the Bharat Ratnas, they would have still been national idols. It’s not right to make fun of them just to prove how democratic we can be.”

Om feels freedom of expression is ill-understood in this country. “Freedom of expression doesn’t mean you can dance naked on the road while the rest of the nation cheers. Ridiculing Lataji and Sachin Tendulkar is not a sign of freedom. It’s a symptom of a disease where we think pulling down achievers is funny. This boy must be dealt with severely so that no one will again dare to act funny with our national heroes.”