New Delhi: Bollywood actor Vikrant Massey has issued an apology on social media for a tweet that he posted in 2018, expressing regret over a now-deleted post related to the gangrape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua. In the apology, Massey clarified that he never intended to 'hurt, malign, or disrespect' the Hindu community.
In 2018, Massey shared an editorial cartoon depicting Goddess Sita telling Lord Ram, “I’m so glad I was kidnapped by Ravan and not by your bhakts!” The cartoon was accompanied by the caption, “Half baked potatoes and half-baked nationalists will only cause pain in the gut. #KathuaCase #Unnao #Shame.” The tweet resurfaced on social media on Tuesday, which was then deleted by the actor.
Vikrant Massey's statement
Addressing the controversy on Wednesday, Massey stated, “In context to one of my Tweets way back in 2018, I’d like to say a few words: It was never my intention to hurt, malign or disrespect the Hindu community."
He further acknowledged the distasteful nature of the post, expressing regret for including the cartoon and extending an apology to those offended.
“But as I reflect in hindsight about a Tweet made in jest, I also release the distasteful nature of it. The same could have been said without adding the cartoon which was published in a newspaper. And I’d with utmost humility like to apologise to each and everyone who has been hurt.”
"As you all by now know, that I hold all faiths, beliefs and religions with the highest possible regard. We all grow up with time and reflect upon our mistakes. This was mine," Massey concluded in his social media apology.
Vikrant Massey on his diverse upbringing
In a recent interview on 'Unfiltered by Samdish’, the actor spoke about his diverse upbringing and shared that his brother converted to Islam when he was 17, his mother is a Sikh, father a Christian and his wife is Hindu.
“My brother’s name is Moeen, I am called Vikrant. You’d wonder why the name Moeen? He converted to Islam, my family let him change his religion. They said, ‘Beta, if you find satisfaction in this, then go ahead.’ He converted at the age of 17, it is a big step. My mother is Sikhni, my father is church-going Christian, he goes to church twice a week. From a young age, I have seen a lot of arguments related to religion and spirituality. My father was questioned by my extended relatives about how he could ‘allow’ that (brother’s conversion). He said that was none of their business. ‘He is my son, he is only answerable to me and has all the rights to choose what he wants’,” he told Smadish.
On the work front, Vikrant Massey recently won the Filmfare Award for his performance in Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s '12th Fail.'