When it comes to ‘Roasting’ fellow comedians and entertainers here in the U.S., most fans enjoy the crude humor that tends to dominate the night. The same however can’t be said for India.
After posting a recording of the event to YouTube, the Video quickly surpassed 8 million views and began to spark a fierce backlash at home for its use of profanities and sexual references. One member of India’s powerful censor board even slammed it on Twitter as ” a porn show on stage.”
At the urging of religious groups, the Mumbai police force said Friday that they had formally registered a case against a string of celebrities, alleging obscenity. Among those named are A-list actress Deepika Padukone and filmmaker Karan Johar.
The decision to arrest and charge the performers was also met with defiance from hundred of supporters including Bollywood actors and producers who urged authorities to respect the right to freedom of speech.
India’s hard-line groups often make requests to authorities to act against authors and artists whose works they consider to be offensive to their religion or society’s perceived morals.